LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Backbench Business Committee

Evan Harris: To ask the Leader of the House with reference to the Resolution of the House of 4 March 2010,  Official Report, column 1099, what steps she is taking to establish a Backbench Business Committee in time for the beginning of the next Parliament and to implement the associated recommendations of the First Report of the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons, Session 2008-09.

Barbara Keeley: The Government will bring forward a motion shortly.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Carers' Benefits

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment she has made of the level of demand for employment support from carers; and how many carers have been helped into work as a result of the £38 million funding for employment support for carers referred to in the 2008 National Carers Strategy for Carers.

Jonathan R Shaw: The National Carers Strategy included a commitment that, by 2011, Jobcentre Plus would ensure carers have access to appropriate employment programmes, and fund replacement care for those participating in approved training.
	To fulfil this commitment, in December 2009 we introduced a new work focused support for carers scheme and funding for replacement care.
	Work focused support for carers provides adviser support and training opportunities for carers who did not already have access to employment programmes. We estimate that 4,000 carers a year will take part in work focused support for carers in addition to those already accessing support through new deal or pathways to work programmes.
	Carers can have replacement care costs paid if they are taking part in training or attending interviews with advisers or employers as part of a return to work action plan. We estimate that 33,000 carers a year will request replacement care.
	In the 12 weeks since work focused support for carers and replacement care funding started, 420 carers have attended a work focused support for carers initial interview. It is too early to report take up of replacement care.

Child Support Agency: Complaints

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints about the Child Support Agency were made to the independent case examiner in each of the last five years.

Helen Goodman: The number of complaints relating to the Child Support Agency received and accepted by the independent case examiner (ICE) in each of the last five years is contained in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of complaints about the Child Support Agency received by ICE  Number of complaints about the Child Support Agency accepted by ICE 
			 2005-06 3117 1348 
			 2006-07 3951 1743 
			 2007-08 3800 1644 
			 2008-09 2964 1111 
			 1 April 2009 to 31 January 2010 2317 851 
		
	
	The independent case examiner can accept only those complaints that fall within his jurisdiction, and only after the Child Support Agency has first had the opportunity to respond to them. Complaints addressed prematurely to the independent case examiner are redirected to the agency for resolution.

Children: Maintenance

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of absent parents resident in  (a) Scotland and  (b) Dundee East constituency are currently being managed by the Child Support Agency.

Helen Goodman: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 10 March 2010:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many cases of absent parents resident in (a) Scotland and (b) Dundee East constituency are currently being managed by the Child Support Agency.
	Latest figures available show as at December 2009, the number of cases in Scotland is 111,050; of these 2,120 are in the Parliamentary Constituency of Dundee East. These figures include old scheme cases with a full or interim maintenance assessment as well as current scheme cases with a full maintenance calculation or default maintenance decision. Figures are adjusted to reflect those cases administered clerically.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Departmental Contracts

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment she has made of the capacity of prime contractors to  (a) monitor and  (b) review the quality of service provided by sub-contractors; and whether she has made an assessment of the level of knowledge of each prime contractor of (i) Public Service Agreement 16 and (ii) personalisation.

Jim Knight: All DWP welfare to work contracts are procured through open and fair competition in accordance with public procurement policy and EU regulations. The criteria are published on the DWP website at the start of any competition, so that all potential bidders are aware of the basis on which the tenders will be evaluated.
	As part of the tender evaluation process, we ask prime contractors to tell us how they will fully meet the varied needs of all customers, including where appropriate socially excluded customers such as those covered by PSA 16. In addition, we ask prime contractors to give details of all their sub-contractors in their tenders and we take into account the performance, skills and experience of the sub-contractors during the tender assessment process. In addition, we consider whether prime contractors and sub-contractors have robust performance management systems.
	Post contract award DWP contractors are required to meet all of the quality and delivery standards set out in the contract specification, and are subject to ongoing monitoring by DWP Contract Managers. In addition to this, they are subject to independent quality inspection by Ofsted in England, Estyn in Wales and HM Inspectorate of Education in Scotland.

Departmental ICT

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much her Department has spent on information technology in the last three financial years; how much was spent on  (a) software development and testing and  (b) applications including (i) staff training, (ii) the cost of new hardware and software and (iii) the cost of launching into the live environment.

Jim Knight: The charging structure does not classify the constituent cost elements in the format requested. However application development figures were:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2006-07 224 
			 2007-08 258 
			 2008-09 303 
		
	
	This enabled the development of new applications which are being used by DWP staff to improve customer service and streamline processes. The Department has a very strong track record in delivering major and complex change involving IT. Every project is subject to continuous rigorous scrutiny to ensure it fits with departmental strategy and delivers value for money.

Departmental ICT

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information technology projects initiated by her Department and its agencies have been cancelled prior to completion in the last 12 months; and what the cost of each such project was to the public purse.

Jim Knight: No IT projects have been cancelled prior to completion by the Department and its agencies in the last 12 months.

Directgov: Contracts

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which external contractors have been given contracts worth over £1 million for work on directgov; and how much has been spent on each contract excluding value added tax.

Jim Knight: Directgov has not placed any contracts for external contractors worth over £1 million.

Employment and Support Allowance

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average length of time was between a referral from Jobcentre Plus and the first appointment with a Pathways to Work provider for claimants of incapacity benefit or employment and support allowance in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: holding answer 2 March 2010
	Information on the length of time between a referral and the date when a provider conducts the first work-focused interview is not published and could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

Employment and Support Allowance

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants of employment and support allowance have been sanctioned in the latest period for which information is available; and what the monetary value was of those sanctions.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer on 2 March 2010
	 The Department does not publish data on the number of people who have been sanctioned who claim employment and support allowance; such data could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Employment and Support Allowance

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people were in receipt of  (a) contributory employment and support allowance,  (b) income-related employment and support allowance and  (c) all types of employment and support allowance in each of the last six months;
	(2)  how many individuals were in receipt of  (a) contributory employment and support allowance and  (b) income-related employment and support allowance in each of the last four quarters;
	(3)  how many individuals were in receipt of employment and support allowance in each of the last six months.

Jonathan R Shaw: The requested data are only available quarterly, not monthly. The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Number of individuals in receipt of contributory and income-related employment and support allowance in the last four quarters 
			   November 2008  February 2009  May 2009  August 2009( 1) 
			 Contributory employment and support allowance 21,390 69,610 106,150 129,770 
			 Income-related employment and support allowance 22,990 74,970 125,080 163,000 
			 All types of employment and support allowance 53,770 175,810 288,270 374,440 
			 (1 )Provisional data.  Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest ten 2. Employment and support allowance replaced incapacity benefit and income support paid on the grounds of incapacity for new claims from 27 October 2009. 3. The figures relating to employment support allowance have been thoroughly quality assured to National Statistics standard however it should be noted that this is a new benefit using a new data source which may not have reached steady state in terms of operational processing and retrospection. Hence most recent data shown is provisional.  Source: Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

Employment Schemes

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment she has made of the relative levels of  (a) personal service and  (b) altruistic benefit offered by (i) third sector and small to medium-sized providers and (ii) large employment organisations under the Work Choice programme.

Jonathan R Shaw: Work Choice is an ambitious and innovative programme and potential delivery organisations, from the public, private and third sectors, have been made fully aware of the clearly defined service requirements.
	A crucial principle of the programme is the requirement to fully support the specific needs of individual customers and provide more opportunity for them to exercise choice and control. All Work Choice providers will have to deliver these key requirements. Robust and comprehensive quality assurance and continuous improvement systems are to be implemented and applied to ensure that they are met.

Employment Schemes: Part-time Employment

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what specific targets Jobcentre Plus has to assist customers into part-time work; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: holding answer 3 March 2010
	Jobcentre Plus is committed to helping all its customers into paid employment, both full-time and part-time. However, it does not have a target focused specifically on assisting customers into part-time work.

Grimsby

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Great Grimsby constituency, the effects of her Department's policies on that constituency since 1997.

Jonathan R Shaw: DWP lead the Government's response to some of the biggest issues facing the country-welfare and pension reform-and are a key player in tackling child poverty(1). As the biggest delivery department in the UK, DWP makes a difference to millions of people every day, helping them to lead safer, fairer and more rewarding lives that are free from poverty. We want to give people more choice and control over their lives and are committed to providing greater choice and personalised support to everyone who needs it so they have the opportunity to get into and remain in work. We believe that work works. Even in economically challenging times we know that work works for the most vulnerable and the disadvantaged.
	 Support to find work
	Through Jobcentre Plus, we are promoting work as the best form of welfare for people of working age. Since January 1998, the number of people unemployed in Great Grimsby has increased by 8 per cent. to 4,704, but the number unemployed for more than one year has decreased by 37 per cent. to 745. From August 1997 to August 2009 the number of lone parents claiming income support in Great Grimsby has decreased by 15 per cent. to 1,950.
	Our new deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, disabled people, the over 50s and partners of unemployed people to move from benefit into work. Since their inception over 2.2 million people in Great Britain have found work with the support of the new deal, and 6,820 have been helped in Great Grimsby.
	 Support for children
	We introduced a target to halve child poverty by 2010-11 on the way to eradicating it by 2020. Poverty is measured using a headline indicator of the proportion of children in households with an income below 60 per cent. of contemporary household median income before housing costs. This is in line with international best practice.
	Statistics on the numbers of children living in poverty are not available at the constituency level.
	 Support for older people
	Since 1997 our strategy has been to target help on the poorest pensioners while providing a solid foundation of support for all.
	This year we will be spending over £13 billion more on pensioners than if we had continued with the policies that were in place in 1997. Around half of that money will go to the poorest third of pensioners.
	In 1997 the poorest pensioners, who received income support, lived on £69 a week (£98 in today's prices). Today pension credit, which was introduced in 2003, means no pensioner needs to live on less than £130 a week, £198.45 for couples. As of August 2009 6,670 pensioners in Great Grimsby are benefiting from pension credit.
	In 2007-08 there were 900,000 fewer pensioners living in relative poverty in UK compared to 1998-99 (measured as below 60 per cent. of contemporary median household income after housing costs).
	Statistics on the proportion of pensioners living in relative poverty are not available at the constituency level. But the latest data for the Yorkshire and the Humber Government office region show that the proportion of pensioners in poverty (measured as below 60 per cent. of contemporary median household income after housing costs) fell from 32 per cent. to 18 per cent. since 1997(2).
	Pensioners in the UK also benefit from a range of additional support such as the winter fuel payment which this winter is worth £250 for households with someone aged between 60 to 79 and £400 for households with someone aged 80 or over. These payments provide vital reassurance to older people that they can afford to turn up their heating during cold weather. Prior to winter 1997-98 less than £60 million per year was spent helping pensioners meet their fuel bills-we now spend around £2.7 billion on winter fuel payments alone. In winter 2008-09 (the last winter for which information is available) 16,720 people aged 60 and over benefited from winter fuel payments in Great Grimsby.
	We have also taken steps to strengthen and protect the private pensions system to ensure people can continue to have confidence to save for their future through the establishment of the Pensions Protection Fund, the financial assistance scheme and a more powerful and proactive pensions regulator.
	The protection system ensures that, unlike in 1997, people aren't left without a pension even in the event that their employer becomes insolvent.
	In total 2,338 people in the Yorkshire and Humber Region are receiving compensation from the Pension Protection Fund (data not available at constituency level)(3).
	We have also taken forward a radical package of pension reforms in the Pensions Acts of 2007 and 2008 which will deliver a fairer and more generous state pension and extend the opportunity of workplace pension saving to millions, many for the first time.
	The state pension reforms begin to come into effect from 2010 and will mean around three quarters of women reaching state pension age in 2010 are expected to qualify for a full basic state pension compared to half without reform.
	 Support for disabled people and carers
	Since 2001, we have significantly extended and improved civil rights for disabled people in areas such as employment, education, access to goods and services and transport. Disabled people in Great Grimsby will have benefited from these improvements. The Welfare Reform Act 2009 contains powers to increase choice and control for disabled adults, including disabled parents who are entitled to state support, enabling them to choose how certain state support is used to meet their individual needs. This will be trailblazed in eight local authority sites from late 2010. Older and less well off carers have gained extra help through the provisions within the National Carers Strategy.
	(1) The Department for Work and Pensions was created in 2001 and so information relates to the Department and its predecessors.
	(2 )Based on three-year averages and changes are rounded to the nearest percentage point or 100,000 pensioners between 1997-98 to 1999-2000 and 2005-06 to 2007-08.
	(3 )Regional information about assistance payments received by members from the financial assistance scheme could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Hotels

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much her Department spent on hotel accommodation for  (a) Ministers,  (b) special advisers and  (c) civil servants in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: The available information on hotel accommodation is set out in the following table. Other information is not available in the required format and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Hotel (all staff) (£ million)  Hotel (Ministers) (£)  Hotels (Special advisers) 
			 2004-05 12.0 n/a n/a 
			 2005-06 12.3 n/a n/a 
			 2006-07 11.5 n/a n/a 
			 2007-08 11.6 £1,631 n/a 
			 2008-09 12.3 £1,875 n/a 
		
	
	Expenditure by the Department on hotel accommodation needs to be seen in the context of a Department of over 100,000 staff operating from over 1,000 office locations across Great Britain.
	All official travel within the Department is carried out in accordance with the requirements of both the Civil Service Management Code
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/documents/doc/CSMC_April08.doc
	and departmental business travel policy, which enables staff to stay overnight in hotel accommodation when travelling on detached duty for business purpose.
	Travel by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code respectively and the Cabinet Office provides the annual list of overseas travel over £500 undertaken by Ministers. The 2008-09 list was published on 16 July and can be viewed at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ministers/travel_gifts.aspx

Jobseeker's Allowance

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people have made a rapid reclaim for their jobseeker's allowance  (a) nationally and  (b) in each London borough in each of the last 24 months;
	(2)  how many individuals have made  (a) one,  (b) two,  (c) three and  (d) four rapid reclaims for jobseeker's allowance (i) nationally and (ii) in each London borough in the last 24 months.

Jim Knight: The requested information is not available as the Department does not gather data specifically relating to the number of reclaims to jobseeker's allowance.

New Deal Schemes: Hemsworth

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women resident in Hemsworth constituency have participated in the New Deal for  (a) Lone Parents and  (b) Partners since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Goodman: The available information can be found in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of woman participants in the New Deal in Hemsworth parliamentary constituency: Time Series to August 2009-Starters (Spells) 
			   Lone parents  Partners 
			 1997 n/a n/a 
			 1998 10 n/a 
			 1999 130 n/a 
			 2000 210 n/a 
			 2001 220 n/a 
			 2002 240 n/a 
			 2003 200 n/a 
			 2004 290 10 
			 2005 270 10 
			 2006 200 10 
			 2007 280 * 
			 2008 430 10 
			 2009 190 * 
			 n/a = Not applicable. "*" = Nil or negligible.  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Some additional disclosure control has also been applied. 2. Latest data are to August 2009.  Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate

Pension Credit

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people transferred from claiming jobseeker's allowance to pension credit in each quarter since April 2008.

Helen Goodman: The information is not currently available, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

State Retirement Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 7 July 2009,  Official Report, column 749W, on state retirement pensions: females, how many women have been contacted; how many women have received lump sums of backdated pension; how much has been paid in backdated pensions to date; and what estimate she has made of the amount which will have been paid out by the end of the exercise.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 1 March 2010
	 In the period up to 18 February 2010, 5,487 women have been contacted and 1,544 women have received lump sums of backdated pension, totalling £1,018,782.80.
	We are not yet able to give an estimate of the amount which will have been paid by the end of the exercise.

Winter Fuel Payments

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households with more than  (a) £100,000 and  (b) £200,000 annual income received a winter fuel payment in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: Information on household income and receipt of winter fuel payments are available from the Family Resources Survey, for which 2007-08 is the latest year available. Estimates have been presented rounded to the nearest 100,000 households.
	(a) In 2007-08, winter fuel payments were made to around 100,000 households with net income before housing costs of more than £100,000 per annum.
	(b) In 2007-08, winter fuel payments were made to a negligible number of households with net income before housing costs of more than £200,000 per annum.
	The figures are survey based, so there is a degree of sampling error. In 2007-08, winter fuel payments were made to around 9 million households. As such, the number of winter fuel payments made to households containing pensioners with net income before housing costs of more than £100,000 per annum represents 1 per cent. of these payments, while the number paid to those over £200,000 remains negligible.

Work Capability Assessment

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of medical assessments for  (a) employment and support allowance and  (b) incapacity benefit claimants carried out by Atos Origin in Wales in each of the last five years were conducted by doctors who had completed their formal medical training and were registered with the General Medical Council;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of medical assessments for  (a) employment and support allowance and  (b) incapacity benefit claimants carried out by Atos Origin in Wales in each of the last five years were conducted by medically trained professionals registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Jonathan R Shaw: All healthcare professionals, consisting of doctors and nurses, employed by Atos Healthcare are registered with the relevant council, namely the General Medical Council or the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
	
		
			   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 
			   IB  IB  IB  ESA  IB  ESA  IB 
			 Total examinations 36,237 34,941 41,267 167 47,907 23,958 22,949 
			 
			 Examinations by doctor 36,237 34,941 41,267 148 44,905 18,678 20,428 
			 Percentage examinations by doctor 100 100 100 89 94 78 89 
			 Examinations by nurse 0 0 0 19 3,002 5,280 2,521 
			 Percentage examinations by nurse 0 0 0 11 6 22 11 
			  Notes: Figures have been provided by Atos Healthcare. ESA was introduced in 2008.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Buildings: Energy

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of all domestic properties on the Domestic EPC Register have Band  (a) A,  (b) B,  (c) C,  (d) D,  (e) E,  (f) F and  (g) G ratings.

Ian Austin: The number and proportion of properties on the Domestic EPC Register by rating band as of 8 February is:
	
		
			  Rating band  Number of lodgements  Percentage of lodgements 
			  New construction dwellings   
			 A 743 0.24 
			 B 180,289 57.98 
			 C 89,271 28.71 
			 D 25,153 8.09 
			 E 4,544 1.46 
			 F 629 0.20 
			 G 147 0.05 
			
			  Existing dwellings   
			 A 530 0.01 
			 B 192,376 4.96 
			 C 1,004,178 25.90 
			 D 1,367,575 35.28 
			 E 821,849 21.20 
			 F 266,436 6.87 
			 G 80,286 2.07

Empty Property: Tyne and Wear

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many empty property management orders have been  (a) applied for and  (b) issued by (i) Newcastle upon Tyne council, (ii) Gateshead council, (iii) South Tyneside council and (iv) North Tyneside council to date.

Ian Austin: In total 29 interim empty dwelling management orders have been issued to date. A residential property tribunal authorised the issue of one interim empty dwelling management order by South Tyneside council in March 2009. Information on how many empty property management orders have been applied for is not held centrally.

Housing: Sales

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of houses auctioned following default on mortgage payments have been bought by individuals or companies associated with the defaulter in the last 12 months.

Ian Austin: This information is not held by Communities and Local Government.

Markets

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made on implementing the proposals in the Government response to the Ninth Report of the Communities and Local Government Committee, Session 2008-09, on Market Failure?: Can the traditional markets survive?, HC 308-I.

Rosie Winterton: The Government are taking action to support retail markets in recognition of the significant economic and social benefits they can create. Since the Committee's report was published, I have been appointed Minister for Markets and CLG has assumed the strategic lead within Government for markets in England. An inter-departmental working group has also been established to look at the issues affecting markets and has agreed a future work programme to address the Select Committee's recommendations.

Multiple Occupation

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the current definition is of a house in multiple occupation (HMO) for the purposes of  (a) assessment of housing stock,  (b) licensing and  (c) planning permission; what change is planned for each of these definitions; and how many HMOs of each definition in each region (i) there were in each of the last five years and (ii) there are projected to be in (A) 2010-11 and (B) 2011-12.

John Healey: The definition of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for housing purposes is contained in section 254 of the Housing Act 2004. An HMO is an entire house or flat which is let to three or more tenants who form two or more households and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Local authorities are under a statutory duty to license HMOs of three or more storeys housing five or more persons forming two or more households. There are no planned changes to the Housing Act 2004 definition of a HMO.
	Currently planning legislation neither defines 'multiple occupation' nor HMOs as such but relies on the concept of a 'single household' and a 'family' in making distinctions for land use purposes. HMOs are unclassified by the Use Classes Order (UCO) and are therefore sui generis. Therefore as a general rule planning permission will be needed before a dwelling house could undergo a material change of use to a HMO. The current UCO uses six persons as its 'trigger' point.
	My statement of 27 January 2010,  Official Report, column 54WS, announced our intention to introduce a specific definition of a HMO into the UCO. This will be the same as that included in section 254 of the Housing Act 2004 with some minor amendments to reflect planning concerns.
	The following table shows the estimated number of HMOs in the last five years. The changes I have announced will not be retrospective.
	The Department does not hold information on the projected numbers of HMOs for 2010-11 and 2011-12.
	
		
			   HMOs on 1 April 
			   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 
			 North East 8,000 9,000 13,000 12,000 10,000 
			 North West 54,000 54,000 52,000 50,000 50,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 26,000 28,000 29,000 29,000 32,000 
			 East Midlands 15,000 18,000 23,000 24,000 24,000 
			 West Midlands 19,000 17,000 18,000 17,000 18,000 
			 East of England 16,000 17,000 23,000 22,000 33,000 
			 London 154,000 138,000 126,000 113,000 146,000 
			 South East 65,000 64,000 66,000' 61,000 61,000 
			 South West 35,000 39,000 41,000 44,000 39,000 
			 England 392,000 385,000 390,000 373,000 412,000 
			  Note: Estimated figures for 2005 and 2006 may be of lower quality than those for subsequent years as from 2007 the definition of what should be included in the HMO count was changed to specify that local authorities should include licensed and registered HMOs.  Source: The Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA)

Multiple Occupation

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning applications to change the use of  (a) a property to a house in multiple occupation and  (b) a house in multiple occupation to a C3 class dwelling have been (i) made and (ii) granted in each region in each of the last five years.

Ian Austin: My Department does not hold this information.

Multiple Occupation

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to bring forward the secondary legislation on houses in multiple occupation referred to in the written ministerial statement of 27 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 54-6W, on planning.

John Healey: The Order amending the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, which will create the HMO use class, was made on 8 March 2010.
	The Order amending the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, which will make a change from a HMO to a C3 dwelling house permitted development, was also made on 8 March and will be laid before Parliament by 15 March 2010.
	Both amendments will come into effect on 6 April 2010.

Non-domestic Rates: Valuation

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer of 6 July 2009,  Official Report, column 605W, on non-domestic rates, how much was paid in each type of fee by those appealing against their rateable values in each year from 2004-05 to 2008-09.

Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
	There are no fees payable to valuation officers for making proposals challenging rateable values. Nor are there hearing fees payable should the proposal become an appeal to the valuation tribunal for England.

Planning Obligations

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department holds on the  (a) amount and  (b) proportion of funding under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 that has been spent in (i) Aylesbury, (ii) Brighton, (iii) Darlington, (iv) Derby, (v) Exeter, (vi) Lancaster, (vii) Birmingham, (viii) Manchester, (ix) Bristol, (x) Cambridge, (xi) the West Midlands and (xii) England in each of the last five years.

Ian Austin: Information on monies collected by local authorities in this way is not held centrally. However, the Department for Communities and Local Government has produced research reports into the value of planning obligations in England for 2003-04 and 2005-06 based on a sample of authorities across the country. These reports are available on the Department's website. New research covering 2007-08 has been commissioned and will be published shortly.

Social Rented Housing: Construction

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of additional affordable homes for rent required to be supplied in order to meet the level of demand in  (a) Birmingham,  (b) the West Midlands and  (c) England in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Austin: The Secretary of State does not make estimates for the provision of affordable housing. However funding is being made available to enable delivery.
	In England, total investment of £7.5 billion over this year and next, including the Housing Pledge of £1.5 billion, will deliver 112,000 affordable homes over the two years 2009 to 2011.
	In the West Midlands funding of £576.7 million will deliver 15,706, of which a sum of £116.3 million is identified for Birmingham to provide 2,906 affordable homes over the period 2008-12.
	Future levels of funding and delivery beyond 2010 will be dependent on the next spending review.

Social Rented Housing: Construction

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) local authority and  (b) registered social landlord homes were built in (i) Birmingham, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) England in each of the last five years; and what his latest estimate is of the numbers that will be built in each of the next three years.

Ian Austin: Information on the number of local authority and registered social landlord homes build in Birmingham, the West Midlands and England, is shown on a financial year basis in Live Table 253 on the Communities and Local Government website at the following link:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/1474276.xls
	Information on planned housing is available in "Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Frameworks".

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Counter-terrorism: International Cooperation

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his  (a) European,  (b) NATO and  (c) US counterparts on further measures to (i) tackle the funding of terrorist organisations and (ii) apprehend members of terrorist organisations.

Ivan Lewis: We have frequent discussions with international partners and organisations on tackling the funding of terrorist organisations and increasing our collective ability to take action against their members. We are committed to meeting our UN obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1904 on combating the funding of international terrorism, and to a comprehensive approach using a range of tools to disrupt and prosecute terrorist activity, including through asset freezes and travel bans.

Departmental Public Expenditure

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 26 March 2009,  Official Report, columns 598W, on departmental public expenditure, what estimate he has made of the effects of exchange rate movements on the level of funding required to meet the cost of the Government's commitments in relation to  (a) international subscriptions and  (b) peacekeeping activities in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11.

David Miliband: The information requested is as follows:
	 International Subscriptions
	We amend our forecasts for the costs of the UK's international subscriptions throughout the year, both to take account of exchange rate movements and as we negotiate the budgets for each organisation for the year ahead (a number of international organisations, including the United Nations (UN) and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), agree budgets for calendar years rather than the UK financial year). As payments are made in the local currency of each organisation at different times of the year, and as the effect of exchange rate movements is only one of the factors in our forecasts for these payments, it is not possible to calculate the effect of exchange rate movements alone on the changes to the forecast since my response of 26 March 2009,  Official Report, column 598W, without incurring disproportionate cost. Our overall aim is to negotiate and limit any proposed increases to zero real growth in local currency terms for each organisation.
	I have provided below our latest forecasts for the overall costs of international subscriptions. These forecasts remain subject to change in the light of continuing exchange rate movements.
	 (i) 2009-10
	The current forecast cost of the UK's international subscriptions in 2009-10 is £175 million, an update on the forecast cost of £193 million quoted in my response of 26 March 2009.
	As I explained in my response of 26 March 2009, for international subscriptions the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has a cost-sharing agreement with HM Treasury (HMT) where HMT will cover 60 per cent. of the additional funds required over £102 million. Therefore the forecast cost to the FCO of the UK's international subscriptions in 2009-10 is £131 million.
	The change in this forecast since my 26 March 2009 response is due to successful FCO negotiations to limit the growth of the UK's contributions, including to the UN, combined with exchange rate movements over that period. (My response of 26 March 2009 quoted forecasts made before final UK contributions were agreed with NATO and the UN for calendar year 2010.) The cost sharing agreement with HMT means that 40 per cent. of the saving benefits the FCO's budget.
	 (ii) 2010-11
	The forecast cost for international subscriptions in 2010-11 is £178 million. Based on the agreement with HMT, the FCO's share of this forecast cost is £132 million. This forecast is likely to change as a result of exchange rate movements and the renegotiation of subscriptions as they come up for renewal.
	 Peacekeeping
	 (i) 2009-10
	The assessed peacekeeping costs in 2009-10 are forecast to be £375 million, an update on the forecast cost of £456 million quoted in my 26 March 2009 response. The change in this forecast is due to savings achieved by the FCO through negotiations in international forums, in particular at the UN in June 2009, as well as exchange rate movements since March 2009. We currently estimate that these exchange rate movements will account for around £9 million of the savings on the previous forecast, subject to final payments which are yet to be made.
	Under current arrangements, the first £374 million of assessed peacekeeping costs are met by HMT. Costs above that and, since April 2009, non-assessed peacekeeping costs as well, are borne by the FCO, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development from the conflict pools and/or from within departmental expenditure limits.
	 (ii) 2010-11
	As my response of 26 March 2009 noted in relation to 2009-10 costs, UN peacekeeping assessed costs for 2010-11 will not be agreed by the UN General Assembly until June 2010. We are finalising peacekeeping budget arrangements for 2010-11 and will announce these in due course.

Illegal Immigrants

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff his Department and its agencies have appointed who were later discovered to be illegal immigrants since 2005.

Chris Bryant: My Department has no record of having employed an illegal immigrant in the last five years.
	All Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff have to be British citizens and all individuals employed by the FCO (whether staff or not) are required to satisfy requirements on identity, nationality and immigration status prior to the offer of employment.

Maldives: Religious Freedom

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest assessment is of the level of religious freedom in the Maldives.

Ivan Lewis: Under the terms of its constitution Maldives is an Islamic country, requiring all Maldivian citizens to be Muslims. Under Maldivian law non-Muslims are forbidden from practising their religion publically. President Mohamed Nasheed has made public his commitment to ensuring that Maldives fulfils its international obligations on human rights. Since he was elected in October 2008, there has been welcome progress in areas such as media freedom and freedom of expression. But there are still some areas where progress can be made, particularly in regards to religious freedom. We continue to encourage his Government to make further progress on this as soon as possible.

OLYMPICS

Olympic Games 2012: Human Trafficking

Anthony Steen: To ask the Minister for the Olympics pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Wellingborough of 26 January 2010,  Official Report, column 713W, when she plans to provide an update on the lessons learned from her visit to the Vancouver 2010 winter Olympics to the All Party Parliamentary Group of Trafficking of Women and Children.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 9 March 2010
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 1 March 2010,  Official Report, column 657.
	While in Vancouver, I had a number of meetings with a range of Government, police and non-governmental representatives on the risk of an increase in human trafficking associated with the Olympic games. As previously agreed I will write to the parties concerned, including the All Party Parliamentary Group on Trafficking of Women and Children, in due course.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Marketing

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ruislip Northwood of 5 January 2010,  Official Report, column 103W, on departmental marketing, how much his Department has spent on advertising, marketing, public relations and publicity in relation to the  (a) Real Help Now and  (b) Building Britain's Future themed campaign to date.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office helped with the production of a Real Help Now document for Scotland. This was published to coincide with the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow for the first time last April. Ministers have also supported a number of meetings and events in Scotland to help promote the Real Help that is available and the initiatives included in Building Britain's Future. The Scotland Office has incurred no advertising, marketing, public relations or publicity costs in relation to this.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Gary Whattley

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent progress has been made by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in its investigation into the death of Gary Whattley in Belfast on 4 November 2005.

Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the chief constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Member, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Independent International Commission on Decommissioning: Expenditure

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning has spent under each main category of expenditure in each year since its inception.

Paul Goggins: Sponsorship of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) is shared by both the British and Irish Governments, with costs shared on an equal basis. The figures in the following table show the British proportion of such costs.
	Due to the nature of the recording of expenditure, available records on IICD specifically are held only from 2002-03. To determine cost beyond that period would incur disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Salary costs  Other costs  Total 
			 2009-10(1) 364,862 497 365,359 
			 2008-09 414,099 1,225 415,324 
			 2007-08 356,554 1,704 358,258 
			 2006-07 316,720 2,094 318,814 
			 2005-06 367,652 1,737 369,389 
			 2004-05 373,417 2,461 375,878 
			 2003-04 275,678 1,051 276,729 
			 2002-03 617,370 559 617,929 
			 (1) Figures correct as of 5 March 2010.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Biofuels: Boilers

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the Government's proposals for maximum  (a) particulate and  (b) nitrogen oxide emissions from biomass boilers on progress towards meeting air quality standards targets in those areas where such targets have not already been met.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The European Commission has accepted that with the exception of London, the UK is on track to achieve limit values for coarse particulate matter, PM10, by 2011 at the latest. In relation to London, the Government are working with the Mayor to provide the necessary assurances to the Commission as soon as possible. Action to ensure that the PM10 limit values are maintained, and progress is made towards fine particle PM25 targets, include ongoing work to assess the impact of biomass boilers.
	For nitrogen dioxide, NO2, a package of measures is currently being developed to address exceedences, taking account of changes in the energy sector as we move towards a low carbon economy. Assessment of the impact of these measures on NO2 concentrations is currently on-going. Road transport sources are the main contributor to exceedences of ambient air quality limit values for this pollutant.

Fair Trade Initiative

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contribution his Department has made to Fairtrade Fortnight.

Jim Fitzpatrick: DEFRA did not make any specific contribution to Fairtrade Fortnight but supports the ongoing work of Department for International Development (DFID) which is leading for the Government in this area, and the contribution that this makes to international sustainable development. DFID officials took part in a number of events and awareness-raising efforts throughout Fairtrade Fortnight, and DFID has committed £12 million to expanding Fairtrade globally.

Illegal Immigrants

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff his Department and its agencies have appointed who were later discovered to be illegal immigrants since 2005.

Dan Norris: People employed to work in Government Departments and their agencies, either directly or through a contractor, are required to satisfy requirements on identity, nationality and immigration status prior to the offer of employment.
	My Department has no record of having employed an illegal immigrant in the last five years.

Oils: Waste Disposal

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what recent estimate he has made of the proportion of waste oils which is regenerated into lubricant oil;
	(2)  what recent assessment his Department has made of capacity for waste oil regeneration.

Dan Norris: Approximately 350,000 tonnes of waste oils require treatment in the UK annually.
	In 2008, the latest year for which data are available, 50,000 tonnes of waste oil was regenerated into lubricant oils. 6,500 tonnes was exported to the EU for oil refining or other uses of waste oil.
	Of the original 350,000 tonnes of waste oil, it is estimated that up to approximately 250,000 tonnes could be potentially suitable for regeneration. Currently there is one waste regeneration plant operating with a capacity for processing 50,000 tonnes per annum. In addition it is estimated that 20,000 tonnes of waste oil per annum are subject to laundering (cleaning).

Stroud

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Stroud constituency, the effects on that constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Dan Norris: Due to the broad nature of the question and the wide range of DEFRA policies implemented in Stroud, it is not possible to provide a detailed answer in the form requested.
	Stroud is obliged through statute to comply with central Government legislation. DEFRA's policy responsibilities are summarised in its departmental strategic objectives (DSOs) that have been agreed with the Treasury:
	To promote a society that is adapting to the effects of climate change, through a national programme of action and a contribution to international action.
	To promote a healthy, resilient, productive and diverse natural environment.
	To promote sustainable, low carbon and resource efficient patterns of consumption and production.
	To promote an economy and a society that are resilient to environmental risk.
	To champion sustainable development.
	To promote a thriving farming and food sector with an improving net environmental impact.
	To encourage a sustainable, secure and healthy food supply.
	To provide socially and economically sustainable rural communities.
	To be a respected department delivering efficient and high quality services and outcomes.
	DEFRA publishes annual departmental reports which set out progress against its Public Service Agreement targets and DSOs. The 2009 report is available at:
	www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/how/deprep/2009-report.htm
	Past reports are available online in the National Archives.
	For information on a specific DEFRA policy in Stroud, the Government Office for the South West is able to provide information on implementation and the benefits to the area.

Waste Disposal: Fees and Charges

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 20 July 2009,  Official Report, column 745W, on waste disposal: fees and charges, who responded to each of the consultations referred to.

Dan Norris: The list of respondents for the Consultation on the Incentives for Recycling by Households, May 2007, can be found in the summary of responses:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/strategy/incentives/documents/incentives-responses-summary2007.pdf
	The respondents to the informal consultation on the draft guidance in June 2008 were:
	Local Authority Recycling Committee
	Association of Charity Shops
	Birmingham City Council
	ESRC BRASS Centre, Cardiff University
	GMB Union
	Campaign for Real Recycling
	Chartered Institution of Wastes Management
	Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority
	Norfolk County Council
	Waste Watch
	Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
	Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
	Cambridgeshire County Council
	County Surveyors Society
	Hampshire County Council
	Absorbent Hygiene Products Manufacturers Association
	Bromsgrove Borough Council
	Coventry City Council
	South Gloucestershire County Council
	London Borough of Sutton
	Five responses were from private individuals
	The list of respondents to the formal consultation on statutory Good Recycling Service guidance, September 2008, can be found in the summary of responses:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/strategy/incentives/documents/summary-consultation-responses.pdf

WALES

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many  (a) disciplinary and  (b) capability procedures have been (i) initiated and (ii) completed in his Department in each of the last five years; how much time on average was taken to complete each type of procedure in each such year; how many and what proportion of his Department's staff were subject to each type of procedure in each such year; and how many and what proportion of each type of procedure resulted in the dismissal of the member of staff.

Peter Hain: Only a very small number of staff have been subject to disciplinary and capability procedures (including dismissal) and therefore the actual numbers cannot be provided without compromising staff confidentiality in what is a small office of 60 people. We do not routinely collect information on the amount of time spent on these procedures.

Departmental Languages

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many  (a) Ministers and  (b) civil servants in his Department received coaching in a foreign language in the last 12 months; what expenditure his Department incurred in providing such coaching; and in what languages such coaching was provided.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office has not provided coaching in any foreign language to either Ministers or staff in the last 12 months.

Departmental Marketing

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ruislip Northwood of 5 January 2010,  Official Report, column 103W, on departmental marketing, how much his Department has spent on advertising, marketing, public relations and publicity in relation to the  (a) Real Help Now and  (b) Building Britain's Future themed campaign to date.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office spent £2,151 on the printing of Real Help for Wales Now booklets, but has committed no expenditure on Building Britain's Future themed campaigns.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which companies his Department used for providing temporary staff in 2008-09; how many temporary staff were employed in that year; and what the monetary value of contracts with each such company was.

Peter Hain: In 2008-09 we used Acorn Recruitment Agency for one member of staff at a cost of £2,365.

Departmental Travel

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much  (a) Ministers and  (b) staff of each grade in his Department spent on first class travel in the last 12 months.

Peter Hain: In the last 12 months the following amounts have been spent on first class travel on official business:
	
		
			  £ 
			 Ministers 12,136 
			 Senior Civil Servants 16,817 
			 Grade 6 21,633 
			 Grade 11,818 
			 SEO 34,343 
			 H 1,277 
			 EO 783 
		
	
	As the Wales Office operates on split sites both in Cardiff and London, Ministers and staff need to travel between offices in the conduct of their duties.
	All official travel by Ministers and Civil Servants is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

Economic Situation

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues and the Welsh Assembly Government on the economy in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: I have had regular discussions with both ministerial colleagues and Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on the economy in Wales, including through the National Economic Council and the All Wales Economic Summits, and will continue to do so.
	The action taken both in Westminster and in Wales has helped Wales to exit the recession and move towards economic recovery. Action that has ensured that there are still 95,000 more people in work in Wales than there were in 1997.
	As we look to the future we remain confident but cautious, and will continue to support long-term sustainable growth and provide targeted economic support-to withdraw this now would put the recovery at risk.

Trade Unions

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many days staff of his Department spent on trade union activity in the latest year for which figures are available; and what recent estimate he has made of the annual cost to the public purse of such activity.

Peter Hain: In line with the ACAS code of practice Time off for Trades Union Duties and Activities, the trade union representative has spent around 1.5 days on trade union activity in the last current financial year to date. The estimated accumulative cost is around £150.

TRANSPORT

Bus Services: Concessions

Peter Luff: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure the continuing availability of discretionary travel arrangements in rural areas for  (a) elderly and  (b) disabled persons; and if he will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: Travel concession authorities in England have the freedom to offer discretionary travel concessions to their older and disabled residents. Local authorities are best placed to know about local needs and circumstances. These enhancements are not part of the statutory minimum and must be funded from an authority's own resources.
	After the planned shift of responsibility for concessionary travel administration from lower tier to upper tier local authorities from April 2011, it will be the responsibility of upper tier local authorities to provide discretionary travel concessions for their older and disabled residents. This change will not prevent upper tier authorities from maintaining or introducing local-level discretions, for example where there are differing needs within different parts of a county boundary (such local schemes could for example operate at a district level).

Cycling

Lynne Jones: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what estimate he has made of the annual amount spent per head of population in  (a) Aylesbury,  (b) Brighton,  (c) Darlington,  (d) Derby,  (e) Exeter,  (f) Lancaster,  (g) Birmingham, (h) Manchester,  (i) Bristol,  (j) Cambridge,  (k) the West Midlands and  (l) England to encourage cycling in each of the last five years.

Sadiq Khan: The four main streams of Departmental funding to encourage cycling in England are local transport plan funding, cycle city and town funding, links to school funding and cycle training grants.
	 Local Transport Plan funding
	This funding is not ring-fenced and local authorities have discretion to spend their allocations in line with their priorities. It is not possible to calculate funding on cycling by head of population.
	 Cycle City and Town funding
	The Department funds 18 cycle city and towns. Funding for the first six cycle demonstration towns between 2005 and 2010-11 is £5 per head annually and for the second round of cycle city and towns between 2008 and 2010-11 at £8 per head annually. These figures relate to the cycle town area, which may not always be the same as the local authority. In some cases, towns have bid for additional funding.
	 Links to schools
	The Department funds links to school to encourage cycling and walking to schools. As these are linked to individual schools, it is not meaningful to relate this to annual funding per head of population.
	 Cycle training grants
	Local authorities apply for grants to train school children in Bikeability level 2. Bikeability level 2 is an approved cycle training course normally undertaken by children in years five to six (ages 10-11). The grants are awarded by the number of children the authority proposes to train for the funding year with a maximum grant of £40 per child, additional to those they propose to train from their own funding. The Department keeps no record of local authorities which fund cycle training from their own funds.

Government Car and Despatch Agency

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 February 2010,  Official Report, column 188W, on the Government Car and Despatch Agency, from which departments  (a) complaints relating to relief drivers and  (b) other complaints were received.

Paul Clark: holding answer 1 March 2010
	The Government Car and Despatch Agency monitors formal complaints through its ISO 9001 procedures. In the past two years there have been 17 recorded complaints, eight of which refer specifically to the provision of relief drivers. Records are not retained beyond two years.
	Complaints relating to 'relief drivers' were received from the following Departments:
	
		
			  Department  Number of complaints 
			 Communities and Local Government 1 
			 Department for Children, Schools and Families 1 
			 Department for International Development 2 
			 Department of Energy and Climate Change 1 
			 Home Office 2 
			 Ministry of Defence 1 
		
	
	'Other' complaints were received from the following Departments:
	
		
			  Department  Number of complaints 
			 Cabinet Office 1 
			 Department for Innovation and Skills 1 
			 Department for International Development 1 
			 Department for Work and Pensions 1 
			 Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs 1 
			 Home Office 2 
			 Ministry of Justice 1 
			 Serious Organised Crime Agency 1 
		
	
	The Customer Satisfaction survey conducted each year invites customers to identify areas for service improvement. The provision of relief drivers is one of those areas identified.
	This information amends the figures given for formal complaints in my answer of 22 February 2010,  Official Report, column 188W, which following subsequent enquiries has proved to be incomplete.

Nuclear Submarines

Angus Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what discussions the Marine and Coastguard Agency has had with the Ministry of Defence on  (a) the end of service of Nimrod MR2 and  (b) a replacement fixed wing long-range search and rescue asset; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: holding answer 9 March 2010
	Senior Coastguard Officers were informed by the Ministry of Defence about the withdrawal of the Nimrod MR2 prior to the announcement on 15 December, and on the alternative defence assets that might be provided to fill the UK's long range Search and Rescue requirements.
	The Nimrod MR2 will be replaced by the substantially more capable Nimrod MRA4. The MRA4 production programme remains unchanged, but the aircraft will be introduced into service at a slower rate as part of a package of key adjustments to the Defence programme announced on 15 December last year.

Nuclear Submarines

Angus Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what  (a) recent meetings he has had with and  (b) representations he has received from representatives of (I) the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, (ii) the shipping industry and (iii) the offshore oil and gas industry on the withdrawal of Nimrod MR2 for search and rescue duties.

Paul Clark: holding answer 9 March 2010
	I have not had any meetings with, or representations from, any of these bodies regarding the withdrawal of Nimrod MR2 for search and rescue duties.

Railways: Crime

Chris Grayling: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many people have been convicted of offences related to  (a) creating danger by causing anything to be in the road, or interfering with a vehicle or traffic equipment,  (b) causing danger to road users,  (c) endangering railway passengers and  (d) trespassing on a railway in each year since 1998.

Chris Mole: The available figures are set out in the following table. In interpreting them it should be noted that:
	(1) The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal ones for which they were dealt with. When a defendant is found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same penalty is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the statutory maximum penalty is the highest.
	(2) Every effort has been made to ensure that the figures are accurate and complete. However, they have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. Care should therefore be taken to ensure the inevitable limitations of data collection processes are taken into account when the figures are used.
	(3) Staffordshire police were able to provide only sample data for 2000. These figures have been excluded from the table.
	(4) No data were available for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July or August 2008.
	
		
			  Offence  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Creating danger by causing anything to be in the road 77 94 88 93 95 93 123 129 93 110 126 
			 Endangering passengers on the railway 23 23 23 20 36 32 23 30 28 39 25 
			 Trespassing on the railway 1853 1505 1445 2316 2647 2685 3301 3742 5041 5298 2571

Roads: Costs

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the cost of laying one mile of  (a) sound-absorbing and  (b) conventional asphalt road surface.

Chris Mole: A recent cost estimate of laying one mile of sound absorbing road surface material ranges between £50,000 and £65,000 per lane, depending on the specific proprietary material used. The equivalent cost for laying conventional surface material is approximately £85,000. Hot Rolled Asphalt is now only used in exceptional circumstances. These costs do not allow for the traffic management and other preparatory works that may be needed prior to surfacing on existing roads, which will typically increase by two to three times the figures above.

Roads: Snow and Ice

Robert Key: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on roads in England of the recent severe weather conditions; and what discussions his Department has had with  (a) the Highways Agency and  (b) local highway authorities on filling potholes and repairing carriageways.

Sadiq Khan: The maintenance of local roads in England is a matter for each local highway authority. It is for each individual authority to assess which parts of its network are in need of repair and what standards should be applied, based upon their local knowledge.
	This Department endorses Well Maintained Highways, the code of practice for highway maintenance published by the UK Roads Liaison Group (UKRLG). The code of practice is available free on the UKRLG website:
	www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org
	The code advises local authorities to establish an inspection regime for their highways, and recommends inspection intervals for the various categories of highways.
	The Local Government Association have written to the Department requesting that funding be provided to local authorities to repair damage that they consider was caused by the 2009-10 winter. 13 authorities have also formally raised this issue. The Department is considering this matter.
	The Highways Agency is responsible for the maintenance of the strategic road network in England. The Agency has a road maintenance programme to ensure that carriageway maintenance is carried out at the optimum time, to minimise deterioration in the condition of the road and damage caused by severe weather, while delivering value for money.
	It is inevitable however that the recent severe weather will, in a small number of locations, cause a deterioration in the road surface condition. The Highways Agency does not however separately identify or estimate the additional maintenance costs directly associated with severe weather. The Agency's experience is that such costs are likely to reflect only a relatively minor part of the overall maintenance expenditure. Safety related defects such as potholes are treated promptly as part of the Agency's maintenance policy.
	The Department, the Highways Agency and local authorities together with the Devolved Administrations, through the UKRLG, consider the need for research, and development of guidance and policy on all aspects of road maintenance. The Highways Agency and local authorities also meet with material suppliers to identify the need for new materials and the evaluation and performance of existing pavement materials, including those used for repairs.

Roads: Snow and Ice

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 February 2010,  Official Report, column 208W, on roads: snow and ice, how many tonnes of salt have been bought from overseas suppliers in each of the last 12 years.

Sadiq Khan: The Highways Agency does not purchase salt directly. This is the responsibility of its contracted service providers, as part of their routine requirement to deliver the winter service to keep the strategic network safe and open during severe winter weather. Consequently the Highways Agency does not keep records on where its service providers have purchased salt and cannot therefore confirm if any overseas salt has been purchased during the last 12 years. Notwithstanding this, as a result of the national salt shortages experienced over the last two winters, the Highways Agency has helped facilitate the importation of overseas salt to its service providers. In 2008-09 season, the Highways Agency helped to import approximately 58,000 tonnes of salt from overseas sources, with a further 127,000 tonnes imported in the 2009-10 winter season.
	The sourcing of salt for winter service on local roads is a matter for the local authorities concerned. Information on imports is not collected centrally.

Roads: Snow and Ice

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 February 2010,  Official Report, column 208W, on roads: snow and ice, which companies are contracted to deliver the Highways Agency's routine and winter service; what activities are included within these contracts; and how much his Department spent annually on each contract in the last year for which information in available.

Sadiq Khan: The Highways Agency provides its routine and winter services through two main contract mechanisms:
	1. Managing Agent Contractors.
	2. Design build finance and operate and private finance initiative.
	 Managing Agent Contractors
	The Managing Agent Contractors who are currently contracted by the Highways Agency to deliver routine and winter services are listed as follows:
	AccordMP (Joint venture)
	Amey
	Amey Mouchel (Amey/Mouchel)
	A-ONE+ (Colas/Halcrow/Costain)
	A-ONE Integrated Highways Services (Halcow and Colas)
	Atkins Ltd.
	Balfour Beatty/Mott MacDonald
	Carillion/WSP
	Enterprisemouchel (Accord/Enterprise and Mouchel)
	InterRoute (Raynesway/Mott MacDonald/Serco)
	Generic activities included in these managing agent contractors contracts are:
	Routine maintenance which includes pothole repairs, street lighting maintenance, cyclical tasks such as cutting grass verges, gully emptying and litter picking, response and repairs following collisions or spillages, periodic inspections of the condition of road surfaces and structures and identifying the need for planned maintenance;
	Winter maintenance including the spreading of road salt, snow clearance and maintenance of the equipment used for those tasks; and
	Planned maintenance which includes road surfacing, strengthening and replacement of structures such as tunnels and bridges and minor improvements to the network.
	In 2008-09, the last year for which information is available, the Highways Agency spent £327.6 million on routine maintenance, £40.6 million on winter maintenance and £493.4 million on planned maintenance through managing agent contractors contracts.
	The provision of the routine and winter maintenance service is tendered as a fixed price lump sum activity in the individual contracts. The agency does not disclose contract specific spend information as this could prejudice the contractors' commercial interest and thereby undermine fair competition.
	 Design build finance and operate and private finance  initiative contracts
	These contracts apply to certain specific routes and typically incorporate provision of significant improvements to the network together with maintenance over a prolonged period (generally 30 years). These companies are listed as follows:
	 Design build finance and operate
	Autolink Concessionaires (A19) Ltd.
	Connect A30/A35 Ltd.
	Connect A50 Ltd.
	Connect M1-A1 Ltd.
	Connect Plus Services (CPS)
	Road Link (A69) Ltd.
	Road Management Services (Darrington) Ltd.
	Road Management Services (Gloucester) Ltd.
	Road Management Services (Peterborough) Ltd.
	Sheppey Route Ltd. c/o Carillion Highway Maintenance
	UK Highways M40 Ltd.
	 Private finance initiative
	Midland Expressway
	Severn River Crossing plc
	The routine and winter maintenance costs within these contracts are not included in the 2008-09 spend figures given above. The payment mechanisms on these contracts are such that it would not be possible for the Highways Agency to abstract the routine and winter maintenance costs.

Rolling Stock

John Leech: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what plans he has to provide additional diesel trains for rail services in the North of England.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport has agreed with Northern Rail that 10 diesel vehicles formerly deployed on the Oldham Loop will be used to lengthen certain train services. Discussions with Northern and East Midlands Trains are in progress with a view to providing further additional diesel vehicles on trains serving northern cities.

Thameslink Railway Line

Patrick Hall: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what estimate he has made of the overall increase in capacity which will result from implementation of the Thameslink Programme.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport's current forecasts indicate that, on completion the Thameslink Programme will increase the capacity of train services into the central London section of the Thameslink route by over 30,000 seats in each peak period.

TREASURY

Banks: Loans

Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information  (a) Royal Bank of Scotland and  (b) Halifax Bank of Scotland provided to his Department on 6 to 7 October 2008 on the extent of their holdings of sub-prime assets.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: In October 2008 HM Treasury announced comprehensive measures to ensure the stability of the financial system including capital investments in the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) and Lloyds TSB totaling £37 billion.
	Ahead of this announcement the Tripartite Authorities (HM Treasury, the Financial Services Authority and the Bank of England) collected relevant information in line with their memorandum of understanding.
	Detailed information on assets is a matter for each company's management to disclose in their audited annual report and accounts, in accordance with market disclosure requirements.

Civil Servants: Relocation

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on the implementation of recommendations made by Sir Michael Lyons in his review of public sector relocation.

Liam Byrne: Ministers held conversations during the initial implementation of Sir Michael Lyons' recommendations resulting in departmental relocation targets being established. Departments have made good progress towards these targets and PBR 2009 announced that nearly 21,000 civil service posts had been relocated out of London and the south east.
	Treasury Ministers regularly meet ministerial colleagues at other Departments to discuss many topics, including the implementation of Sir Michael Lyons' recommendations.

Departmental Paper

Martin Horwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what  (a) suppliers and  (b) brands of (i) paper and (ii) paper products his Department uses; and what his Department's policy is on the procurement of those materials.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Treasury's policy is to purchase paper and paper products that meet or exceed the Buy Sustainable-Quick Wins standards. In 2008-09 the Treasury bought copier paper from the following suppliers:
	 From Office Depot
	Niceday A4 80gsm 80 per cent. recycled;
	Niceday A3 80gsm 80 per cent. recycled;
	Evolve A4 80gsm 100 per cent. recycled; and
	Evolve A3 80gsm 100 per cent. recycled.
	 From Banner Business Supplies
	Banner envelopes (various sizes); and
	Printed letterheads and envelopes.
	Paper for publications was sourced via the print supplier. The specification was evolution satin 250gsm and 130gsm, 75 per cent. recycled. Paper hygiene products are supplied by the Treasury's Facilities Management Contractors (Exchequer Partnership and Mitie Managed Services).

Hotels

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1145W, on Government departments: hotels, if he will place in the Library a copy of the summary data on bookings made under the Expotel facility in respect of his Department in 2009.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information requested has been deposited in the Library of the House.

Public Sector Relocation Independent Review

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 11 January 2010,  Official Report, column 772W, on the Public Sector Relocation Independent Review, what the  (a) title and  (b) scope was of each dataset provided to the Review; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each dataset, redacting personally identifiable information.

Ian Pearson: The datasets were supplied to the Lyons Inquiry team by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) when preparations were being made for the Council Tax Revaluation 2007 in England, which was postponed in 2005. This Inquiry team was separate from, and unconnected to, the Public Sector Relocation Review team, also led by Sir Michael Lyons. The datasets included the following information for each dwelling:
	Property attribute data
	Relevant sales
	Current council tax band
	Automated Valuation Model (AVM) estimate of value (where a value estimate had been produced by the AVM)
	A statistical measure of confidence in the AVM estimate
	Additional analysis about dwellings at the margins of potential new bands
	As was stated in my answer on 11 January 2010, the datasets contained property attribute and sales data at individual property level. This is information which, for the protection of individual taxpayers, cannot be released into the public domain by virtue of s18(1) of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 and the Data Protection Act 1988.
	Disclosure of estimates of value and confidence scores is also prevented by the above legislation. Any redaction of personal information would leave just property address and council tax band information at the time the data was supplied. Current council tax band information is available on the VOA's website.

Social Security Benefits: Uprating

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the contribution of the Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 523, on benefits uprating, if he will introduce an immediate increase in the additional pension in line with January's retail price inflation figures; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 1 March 2010
	I have been asked to reply.
	No. Additional pension is up-rated annually in April by reference to the September retail prices index. Any changes in prices in the year to September 2010 will be taken into account in the 2011 up-rating.

Stroud

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Stroud constituency, the effects on that constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at
	http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk./.
	The Government have put in place a broad programme of reform since 1997. Over the decade to 2007, the economic performance of all parts of the UK has improved considerably.
	The global recession has had a negative impact on economic activity in all parts of the UK. However, the economy was starting from a position of strength and is actively supported by policies implemented by the Government, including the fiscal stimulus and a significant package of support for those out of work.
	In Stroud people are benefiting from this investment. Over the second half of 2009, nearly 430 people moved off of the claimant count each month on average. The claimant count fell for three consecutive months from September and now stands at nearly 5 per cent. below its August level. Long-term unemployment at the beginning of 2010 is nearly 65 per cent. lower than in 2000.

Tax Allowances: Charities

John Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the effect on tax exemptions for charities of EU state aid rules.

Ian Pearson: HM Treasury receives representations on a wide range of charity issues. Treasury officials continue to have regular discussions with the charity sector that cover a wide range of issues including European law.

Taxation: National Lottery

John Greenway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much lottery duty has been paid by the national lottery in each of the last three years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Information about lottery duty revenue collected by HMRC is available at:-
	https://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bullbett
	The following table shows figures for revenue collected from lottery duty in each of the last three years for which final data is available.
	
		
			  Lottery duty 
			  Calendar year  £000 
			 2006 605,426 
			 2007 577,876 
			 2008 628,447

Valuation Office Agency

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 11 January 2010,  Official Report, column 781W, on the Valuation Office, if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of each meeting of the  (a) electronic capture of hard copy records project board and  (b) installation of a geographical information system project board, redacting the commercially sensitive elements.

Ian Pearson: The minutes, suitably redacted, will be placed in the Library of the House by 31 March 2010.

VAT

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment HM Revenue and Customs has made of the merits of making submission of value added tax returns online voluntary instead of compulsory from April 2010.

Stephen Timms: Lord Carter of Coles' Review of HMRC Online Services recommended the universal electronic delivery of business tax returns; available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2006/carter-review.pdf
	The Government accepted Lord Carter's recommendations.
	Filing value added tax returns online from April 2010 is compulsory for those businesses with a turnover above £100,000 or newly registering businesses. Businesses already registered for VAT as at 1 April 2010 with a turnover of less than £100,000 (excluding VAT) may file their VAT return on paper or online.
	Compulsory online filing of business tax returns will save businesses time and money, and allow HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to deliver better customer service alongside efficiency savings.
	HMRC has consulted widely in preparation of moving the filing of business tax returns online, including a three month public consultation on the equality impact assessment; available at:
	http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true_pageLabel=page Library_ConsultationDocumentspropertvType=document columns=1id=HMCE_PROD1_028731
	An impact assessment was published in March 2009, available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ria/carter-ia-final1.pdf
	A summary of responses to the consultation was published in November 2009, and is available at:
	http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true_pageLabel= pageLibrary_ConsultationDocumentspropertyType= documentcolumns=1id=HMCE_PROD1_029929

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of interpreters working for his Department in Afghanistan  (a) have been recruited from the local population and  (b) are British nationals; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The proportion of interpreters working for the Ministry of Defence in Afghanistan can be split into three distinct groupings. As at 5 March 2010, 91 per cent. are locally employed civilians, 4 per cent. are UK nationals (a mix of civilian contracted and UK military linguists) and the remaining 5 per cent. are civilian contracted third party nationals. The proportions stated are subject to change.

Armed Forces: Discharges

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been discharged from each of the armed forces for alcohol abuse since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been administratively discharged from each of the armed forces for alcohol abuse in each year since 2000.

Kevan Jones: holding answer 5 March 2010
	Between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2008 there were 28 Army personnel and 15 RAF personnel medically discharged from service with a principal condition of 'mental and behavioural disorder due to the use of alcohol'. There were no naval service personnel medically discharged with this principal condition during this period. Statistical data in respect of medical discharges for 2009 are currently being compiled.
	With regard to administrative discharge, this information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	All three services run robust programmes designed to raise awareness and promote the message of sensible drinking. These programmes address all serving personnel; there are also additional measures in place to assist commanding officers in countering the potential danger to their people. The sale of alcohol and individual consumption limits are regulated particularly, but not only, when personnel are serving operationally. These controls are supported by disciplinary measures where necessary. Individuals identified as being at risk receive counselling and welfare support. This can include attendance on preventative early intervention programmes designed to alert them to the harm that alcohol can cause to themselves and others. More serious cases are treated through specialist medical and psychological treatment and rehabilitation, including where appropriate as inpatients.

Armed Forces: Discharges

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were discharged from each of the armed forces on grounds of mental illness under each international classification of diseases code in each year since 2001.

Kevan Jones: holding answer 5 March 2010
	The following tables provide information on how many people were discharged from the each of the armed forces on grounds of mental illness under each international classification of diseases code:
	
		
			  Table 1: Naval Service personnel medically discharged with a principal condition of a mental and behavioural disorder, 2001-08 
			   All  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 All 295 30 38 42 29 46 42 39 29 
			   
			 Mood Disorders 118 14 19 13 13 16 19 14 10 
			  Of which:  
			 Depressive Disorder 95 10 13 12 8 15 17 13 7 
			   
			 Neurotic Disorders 126 11 13 20 9 20 20 21 12 
			  Of which:  
			 PTSD 38 * * 6 * 6 5 8 5 
			  Of which:  
			 Adjustment disorders 26 * * * * * 6 5 * 
			   
			 Organic, including symptomatic, mental disorders 12 * 0 * * * 0 0 * 
			 Schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders 14 * * * * * 0 0 * 
			 Behavioural syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and physical factors 16 * 5 * 0 * * * * 
			 Disorders of adult personality and behaviour * 0 0 * 0 0 * * 0 
			 Disorders of psychological development * 0 0 0 0 0 * 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Army personnel medically discharged with a principal condition of a mental and behavioural disorder, 2001-08 
			   All  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 All 904 103 112 90 121 119 111 111 137 
			   
			 Psychoactive substance use 29 5 6 * * 5 * * 7 
			  Of which:  
			 Disorders due to alcohol 28 5 6 * * * * * 7 
			   
			 Mood Disorders 307 23 35 33 50 47 32 41 46 
			  Of which:  
			 Depressive Disorder 238 16 22 27 40 35 27 33 38 
			   
			 Neurotic Disorders 418 53 54 40 54 53 52 57 55 
			  Of which:  
			 PTSD 113 7 11 6 11 14 20 19 25 
			  Of which:  
			 Adjustment Disorders 101 19 15 15 14 12 7 10 9 
			   
			 Organic, including symptomatic, mental disorders 16 0 * * * * * * 5 
			 Schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders 69 12 10 11 6 5 14 * 7 
			 Behavioural syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and physical factors 17 * 0 * * * * * 5 
			 Disorders of adult personality and behaviour 33 8 6 * * * * * * 
			 Disorders of psychological development * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 * 
			 Behavioural and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence * 0 0 0 * 0 * * 7 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: RAF personnel medically discharged with a principal condition of a mental and behavioural disorder, 2001-08 
			   All  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 All 332 20 13 28 65 38 78 49 41 
			   
			 Psychoactive substance use 15 0 0 * * 0 5 6 * 
			  Of which:  
			 disorders due to alcohol 15 0 0 * * 0 5 6 * 
			   
			 Mood Disorders 132 11 * 13 19 14 31 14 27 
			  Of which:  
			 Depressive Disorder 110 9 * 10 13 13 24 14 24 
			   
			 Neurotic Disorders 143 9 9 12 32 20 30 21 10 
			  Of which:  
			 PTSD 13 0 * * * * * * * 
			 Of which:  
			 Adjustment disorders 84 5 * * 20 14 24 9 6 
			   
			 Organic, including symptomatic, mental disorders * 0 0 0 * 0 * 0 0 
			 Schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders 14 0 0 * * * * 5 * 
			 Behavioural syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and physical factors 10 0 * * * * * * * 
			 Disorders of adult personality and behaviour 14 0 0 0 7 * 5 * 0 
			 Behavioural and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence * 0 0 0 * 0 * 0 0 
			  Note: Numbers smaller than five are represented as * in line with the Office for National Statistics guidelines. Where there is only one number smaller than five in any row or column the next smallest number has also been replaced.

Armed Forces: Drugs

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many compulsory drug tests for each substance were failed in each of the armed services since 2001.

Kevan Jones: holding answer 5 March 2010
	The misuse of drugs is incompatible with the demands of service life and can pose a significant threat to operational effectiveness.
	The following table provides information on the numbers of compulsory drug tests and positive results by drug type.
	
		
			  Naval service compulsory drug testing results  for the period 1 January 2001-31 December 2009 
			 Drug types( 2) 
			   Number of tests conducted  Number of positive results  Cocaine  Ecstasy  Cannabis  Others( 1) 
			 2001 12,889 50 7 15 27 1 
			 2002 12,900 42 8 6 26 2 
			 2003 13,803 56 22 12 20 2 
			 2004 12,262 48 20 7 16 5 
			 2005 12,705 47 26 8 11 2 
			 2006 13,552 57 35 9 11 2 
			 2007 10,762 39 22 2 12 3 
			 2008 12,935 67 50 1 13 3 
			 2009 11,563 32 15 1 20 2 
		
	
	
		
			  Army compulsory drug testing results  for the period 1 January 2001-31 December 2009 
			 Drug types( 2) 
			   Number of tests conducted  Number of positive results  Cocaine  Ecstasy  Cannabis  Others( 3) 
			 2001 97,282 637 76 201 297 30 
			 2002 89,003 514 106 128 239 41 
			 2003 93,129 518 136 103 244 35 
			 2004 92,297 634 206 126 275 27 
			 2005 94,140 796 364 122 281 29 
			 2006 105,008 770 423 95 221 31 
			 2007 75,842 678 419 72 160 27 
			 2008 89,839 651 427 32 171 21 
			 2009 102,949 451 237 6 203 38 
		
	
	
		
			  Royal Air Force compulsory drug testing results  for the period 1 January 2001-31 December 2009 
			 Drug types( 2) 
			   Number  of tests conducted  Number of positive results  Cocaine  Ecstasy  Cannabis  Others( 4) 
			 2001 13,401 18 3 4 11 0 
			 2002 11,096 10 1 2 7 0 
			 2003 13,570 20 0 4 16 0 
			 2004 11,832 24 10 1 13 0 
			 2005 12,808 21 6 6 8 1 
			 2006 12,884 18 9 3 4 2 
			 2007 12,119 15 11 0 3 1 
			 2008 12,303 27 10 1 13 3 
			 2009 12,399 12 5 0 7 0 
			 (1) Other drugs detected-Ketamine, Steroids, Benzodiazepines and Opiates. (2) Where a sample tests positive for more than one drug, the more prevalent drug is counted. (3) Other drugs detected-Heroine, Ketamine, Steroids, Benzodiazepines. (4) Other drugs detected-Benzodiazepines, Amphetamine.

Armed Forces: Food

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on British Armed Forces Worldwide Food Supply in each year since 2001.

Quentin Davies: Catering, retail and leisure (CRL) contracts (incorporating pay as you dine arrangements) are being introduced across the UK, to cater for service personnel in UK units. Such catering contracts now account for around 60 per cent. of food consumption by service personnel. Food procured under such contracts is the responsibility of the supplier. Information on the costs of all food procured within these contracts is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	For UK armed forces personnel in barracks, when personnel are not being fed under CRL contracts, and those serving on operations and overseas exercises, there is a single food supply contract for which the following information is available:
	
		
			  FY  Spend (£ million) 
			 2001-02 113 
			 2002-03 114 
			 2003-04 139 
			 2004-05 128 
			 2005-06 139 
			 2006-07 135 
			 2007-08 145 
			 2008-09 176 
		
	
	These figures represent the total of value of commercially supplied food including the cost of food, administration and transport.
	The Department has also procured operational ration packs over the same period for which the following information is available:
	
		
			  FY  Spend (£ million) 
			 2001-02 14.6 
			 2002-03 16.6 
			 2003-04 26.7 
			 2004-05 23.7 
			 2005-06 15.6 
			 2006-07 15.3 
			 2007-08 18.1 
			 2008-09 25.4

Armed Forces: Parachuting

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department plans to award the Main Stores Parachuting contract.

Quentin Davies: We do not recognise this contract description. However, we are currently evaluating tenders received for the award of a medium weight air drop parachute delivery system development contract. It is too early to state when a production contract may be awarded.

Armed Forces: Parachuting

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has had recent discussions with his US counterpart on the development of a parachute delivery system.

Quentin Davies: The Secretary of State for Defence has not had any recent discussions with his US counterpart on the development of a parachute delivery system. However, at the working level, information is frequently shared with US counterparts.

Armed Forces: Rescue Services

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the capability of search and rescue C-130 Hercules aircraft to  (a) locate casualties in darkness and poor weather conditions and  (b) deploy life rafts and other support items.

Bill Rammell: Hercules CI30 aircraft are capable of covering the entirety of the UK's search and rescue area of responsibility and have the capability to operate in accordance with the search and rescue criteria specified in the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual.
	Hercules CI30 aircraft is fitted with radar which can be used in a search mode to locate vessels in the water. It can be flown by pilots using night vision goggles to assist with searches.
	The CI30 aircraft is able to deploy the life-rafts and containers carried by Nimrod MR2 aircraft for the long-range SAR role. Within the containers are a variety of items that could support the survivor in the four priorities of survival: protection, location, water and food. The items include headover scarves, location aids (flares and distress signals), water and emergency rations.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armoured vehicles of each type in each armed service were  (a) in service and  (b) available for operations on the latest date for which figures are available.

Quentin Davies: I am withholding information on the numbers of vehicles available as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
	The number of armoured vehicles of each type in service is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Vehicle  Total number in service 
			 AS90 116 
			 Challenger 2 345 
			 CRARRV 81 
			 CVR(T) 1,200 
			 Fuchs 11 
			 FV430 (Mk 2 and Bulldog) 1,487 
			 Saxon 147 
			 Titan 33 
			 Trojan 33 
			 Warrior 785 
			 Mastiff 256 
			 Panther 355 
			 Ridgback 139 
			 Snatch (all variants) 577 
			 Vector 184 
			 Viking 126 
			 Wolfhound 8 
			 Husky 86

Departmental Interpreters

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much funding is available for service personnel language training in  (a) Pashto and  (b) Dari in 2009-10.

Bill Rammell: The majority of training for service personnel language training in Pashto and Dari is undertaken by the Defence School of Languages. In 2009-10 the funding available for Pashto language training is £1,888,157, the funding available for Dari language training is £663,407, totalling £2,551,564.

Departmental Pensions

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what his Department's current pension liabilities are; and what projections have been made for the next 10 years;
	(2)  what the estimated pension deficit of his Department is based on  (a) estimated liabilities and  (b) budgeted allocations.

Kevan Jones: holding answer 8 March 2010
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for International Defence and Security (Baroness Taylor) to the noble Lord, Lord Moonie in the other place on 9 February 2009,  Official Report, House of Lords, column WA120. This provides information on the Department's historic, current and projected liabilities for pension contributions in respect of current military and civilian personnel.
	The armed forces pension scheme is an unfunded occupational pension scheme. The estimate of the amount payable for this scheme, as at 31 March 2009, was £91 billion. The methodology used to produce this actuarial assessment can be found in the armed forces pension scheme resource accounts for financial year 2008-09. This estimate of the total amount that will be payable, from Crown resources, over the next 70 to 80 years in respect of pension benefits already earned by some one million current and former service personnel. In practice the pension payments for any given year are made up of the current year contributions into the scheme from the Defence budget, supplemented by HM Treasury funding through the parliamentary estimates process.
	Liability for the war pension scheme is not estimated, as it is a benefit payment and not an occupational pension scheme.
	It is not possible to provide the liability for the principal service pension scheme for the Department, as the information is only produced across the whole civil service and not broken out by employer.

Ex-servicemen: Health Services

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures are in place to assist the  (a) rehabilitation and  (b) re-integration into society of soldiers who are dismissed from the Army due to use of illegal substances.

Kevan Jones: holding answer 9 March 2010
	 Drugs misuse is contrary to the service ethos, prejudicial to operational effectiveness and is not tolerated in the Army or indeed any of HM Forces. Where an individual has knowingly or recklessly consumed illegal drugs this will, other than in the most exceptional circumstance, result in an automatic discharge. This message is made extremely clear during initial training and is continuously reinforced throughout a soldier's career.
	We do not provide specific drug rehabilitation services, but when an individual appears to be a regular drug misuser, they are referred to a medical officer who will consider the need for treatment of any acute medical problems before discharge.
	Service personnel who are discharged compulsorily for drug misuse are not eligible or entitled to any of the resettlement provision they may ordinarily have received. However, they all receive a mandatory resettlement brief and a one-to-one resettlement interview within their unit before they discharge. These cover advice on accessing reemployment services such as Jobcentre Plus, advice on housing, the assistance available from ex-service welfare organisations and information about preserved pensions and compensation rights. If, as part of this process, an individual is deemed to be vulnerable to social exclusion then some specialist support is also provided by service resettlement advisors.

Ex-servicemen: Identity Cards

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first veteran's identity cards will be issued.

Kevan Jones: The Ministry of Defence is in discussion with the Identity and Passport Service about the possible introduction of a veteran's variant of the National ID Card, which would both guarantee identity and previous service in HM armed forces. Timescales for any subsequent roll-out have yet to be finalised.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of pilots of  (a) Apache,  (b) Chinook and  (c) Merlin helicopters were in breach of their harmony guidelines on the latest date for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 4 March 2010
	Apache, Chinook and Merlin Mk3 are managed by the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC). JHC operational harmony guidelines are for crews to serve four periods at home for every one in theatre. The Merlin Mk1 is operated by the Royal Navy (RN), whose harmony guidelines state that no individual should exceed 660 days separated service over a rolling three year period.
	No Merlin Mk1, Mk3 or Chinook pilots are breaching harmony guidelines. However, 33 per cent. of pilots within the Apache force are not meeting harmony guidelines. This is a reflection of the rapid and successful introduction of the Apache into operational service, some three years in advance of the originally anticipated timescale. Apache pilot harmony is improving constantly as more pilots are trained and become available for deployment.

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much funding his Department has provided for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association in each of the last five years.

Kevan Jones: This information is not held centrally.
	The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association Forces Help is a registered charity and provides a variety of services that are available to current serving personnel, their families and veterans. They receive funding from a number of areas including contracted services arranged and paid for at a local level. In 2009, they also received £50,000 for a specific project from the Veterans Challenge Fund, which is run by the MOD.
	To determine how much funding has been provided in the past five years would require a manual search of records in many different locations that would incur a disproportionate cost.

Territorial Army

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2010,  Official Report, column 413W, on Territorial Army, what phase 1 training is scheduled to be run at the Regional Training Centre in Ballykinler, County Down in 2010-11;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2010,  Official Report, column 413W, on the Territorial Army, when the phase 1 training will be restarted.

Bill Rammell: Phase 1 training will recommence at the Regional Training Centre, Ballykinler in April 2010. Three phase 1 courses are currently scheduled to be held at the Regional Training Centre, Ballykinler during the 2010-11 training year. Two will be run over a series of weekends from April to June 2010 and from January to March 2011. The third will take the form of a consolidated course to be held between July and August 2010. All Regular and Territorial Army training programmes are subject to alteration in light of changing operational priorities.

Territorial Army

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2010,  Official Report, column 413W, on the Territorial Army, what the outcome was of the investigation into the reasons for the course being cancelled;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2010,  Official Report, column 413W, on the Territorial Army, what steps he plans to take to ensure that local decisions may not in future be taken contrary to a directive issued by the Government.

Bill Rammell: A phase 1 training course planned to take place at Ballykinler Regional Training Centre in January 2010 was cancelled as a result of a local decision. This was contrary to the Government's direction. As investigations into the reasons for the cancellation of this training are ongoing it would be inappropriate for me to comment and risk prejudicing the outcome. However, monthly reviews and checks are being conducted to ensure that training continues in accordance with Government direction.

WOMEN AND EQUALITY

Departmental Marketing

Robert Syms: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ruislip Northwood of 5 January 2010,  Official Report, column 103W, on departmental marketing, how much  (a) the Government Equalities Office and  (b) the Equality and Human Rights Commission have spent on advertising, marketing, public relations and publicity to the (i) Real Help Now and (ii) Building Britain's Future themed campaign to date.

Michael Jabez Foster: Neither The Equality and Human Rights Commission nor the Government Equalities Office spent any money on advertising, marketing, public relations or publicity in relation to Real Help Now and Building Britain's Future themed campaigns.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Michael Weir: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how many receptions she has hosted for representatives of print and broadcast media since 3 October 2008; how much each reception cost in total; and how many people attended each event.

Michael Jabez Foster: No receptions have been hosted for representatives of print and broadcast media since 3 October 2008.

Departmental Theft

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how many thefts from the Government Equalities Office have been recorded in the last two years.

Michael Jabez Foster: There have been no recorded thefts from the Government Equalities Office in the last two years.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan: Copper

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department has provided to the Afghan Government to develop copper mining in Afghanistan in the last five years.

Michael Foster: Between 2004 and 2008, the Department for International Development (DFID) spent £4 million to map mineral deposits in a geological survey of Afghanistan. This helped identify the growth potential of the mining sector, including copper mining, and restructure the Afghanistan Geological Survey.
	DFID has recently agreed to help the Ministry of Mines undertake an ambitious reform programme that will improve its management of the mining sector, including copper mining.
	DFID is also helping the Afghan Ministry of Finance implement the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). In February 2010 the EITI board accepted Afghanistan as a candidate country.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many full-time equivalent staff of each grade are employed by his Department to assist special advisers.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development (DFID) special advisers are supported by one executive officer (B2) staff member.

Developing Countries: Contraception

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's plans are for future funding of programmes for provision of female condoms; and if he will take steps to encourage others to provide funding for such programmes.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development's (DFID) is already providing funding for the provision of female condoms. DFID is providing a £100 million grant to the United Nations Population Fund's Global programme for reproductive health commodity security over the period 2007 to 2012. We have also committed £42.5 million to the International Planned Parenthood Federation over the period 2008 to 2015 to help provide sexual and reproductive health information, services and supplies, including female condoms.

Developing Countries: Debts

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts from other G20 countries on the purchasing of the debt of developing countries by investment funds and subsequent use of that debt; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: I work closely with Ministers from G20 countries on a range of development issues. The Government do not support the activities of investment funds who seek full repayment from heavily indebted poor countries on debt they have bought. Legislation has recently been introduced to Parliament by my hon. Friend the Member for Denton and Reddish (Andrew Gwynne) to address this problem. The Government are supporting this legislation which will complement the actions already taken.

Global Fund to Fight AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria on proposals to expand its remit; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: I discussed this with Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM), in January. This matter will also be considered at the Global Fund replenishment event in March, during discussions with GFATM on how their work can be strengthened.

Global Fund to Fight AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's policy is on proposals to extend the responsibilities of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria to include  (a) maternal health,  (b) sexual and reproductive health and rights and  (c) health overall; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) is already having an impact on maternal mortality and sexual and reproductive health through, for example; increasing access to HIV testing and counselling; prevention of mother-child transmission (PMTCT); and other preventative measures, such as distribution of condom and education materials.
	GFATM is also working with international partners to ensure support provided to strengthen health systems in developing countries is effective and improves health outcomes in those countries.
	The Global Fund is currently preparing an analysis of its activities and their contribution to the millennium development goals. The Department for International Development will consider this assessment and discuss with GFATM how its work can be strengthened.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Biofuels

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what guidance his Department has issued in respect of the sustainability of biomass and biofuels used for electricity generation;
	(2)  what steps his Department plans to take to ensure the sustainability of biomass and biofuels used for electricity generation.

David Kidney: Since April 2009, the Renewables Obligation has required electricity generators over 50 kilowatts to report annually to Ofgem on the biomass they are using, including the available information on its country of origin, details of any environmental standard met and land use change since 30 November 2005. Guidance on the sustainability reporting requirement is available as part of the 'Renewables Obligation: Fuel measurement and sampling guidance' from the Ofgem website.
	The Renewable Energy Directive, published in April 2009, includes sustainability criteria that bioliquids used for heat and electricity generation must meet in order to receive financial support and to count towards the Directive's renewable energy targets. These criteria include: a minimum greenhouse gas savings threshold of 35 per cent., rising to 50 per cent. in 2017, and 60 per cent. in 2018 for new installations starting production from 2017; and controls over land use change to protect land important on biodiversity or carbon grounds such as primary forest, wetlands and peatlands.
	On 25 February 2010, the European Commission published its recommendations on sustainability requirements for the use of solid and gaseous biomass sources for heat and electricity generation. In the light of this, DECC will make an announcement later this month, setting out what actions the Government can now take to introduce sustainability standards for biomass in the UK.

Climate Change: International Co-operation

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how the £480 million fund to help fight climate change by tackling deforestation between 2010 and 2012 announced at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit will be allocated; and whether this funding is new money.

Gareth Thomas: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK Government have committed £300 million to tackle deforestation between 2010 and 2012. Part of this commitment has already been allocated, for example £10 million to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and £88 million to the Forest Investment Programme. We are currently developing plans for the balance. The UK's aid programme is growing and this commitment will be financed from this growth.

Nuclear Power: Research

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has undertaken into the capacity factor of nuclear fission plants; and if he will make a statement.

David Kidney: Following analysis the capacity factor, also called load factor, is presented in the Government's 2007 consultation(1) on nuclear power. For new nuclear reactors the load factor is estimated to be 80 per cent. rising to 85 per cent. after five years operation. Vendors are quoted as expecting 90 per cent. and over.
	Most recent figures show that in 2008, currently operating UK nuclear power stations had a capacity factor of 49.4 per cent.
	(1) BERR. The Future of Nuclear Power The role of nuclear power in a low carbon economy. Consultation document, pp. 68. May 2007.
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file39197.pdf

HEALTH

Cancer: Nurses

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 25 February 2010,  Official Report, column 755W, on cancer: nurses, which programmes will have been implemented fully by 2011-12; which funded development activities are now reaching a planned conclusion; and how much funding will be released from each programme or activity.

Ann Keen: The £20 million for one to one cancer nurses has been found from funding released from programmes launched by the next stage review (NSR), which will either have been implemented fully by 2011-12, or from funded development activities which are now reaching a planned conclusion.
	Looking across the whole of the NSR we are confident that these savings can be released in 2011-12 where development work is concluding or programmes will be fully implemented such as the development programmes for transforming community service and quality accounts.
	The funding released from the conclusion and/or implementation of these programmes will ensure that we are able to fund this key initiative to improve the quality of cancer services which is very much aligned with the vision set out in High Quality Care for All and the quality and productivity challenge being undertaken by the national health service.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Blood

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons people with myalgic encephalomyelitis may not donate blood.

Ann Keen: People with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), are not able to donate blood until they have fully recovered. The reasons for this are: first, blood donors need to be in good health, and people with ME/CFS often experience a range of symptoms which could be made worse by donating blood; and second, as the causes of ME/CFS are not currently fully understood, people with the condition are deferred from donating blood as a precautionary measure to protect the safety of the blood supply for patients.

Dental Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury of 25 February 2010,  Official Report, column 744W, on departmental statistics, if he will place in the Library a copy of the most recent NHS dental services vital signs report.

Ann Keen: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Departmental ICT

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information technology projects initiated by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies were cancelled prior to completion in the last 12 months; and what the cost of each such project was to the public purse.

Phil Hope: The Department and its Executive agency, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency have not cancelled any information technology projects prior to completion in the last 12 months.

Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons no response has yet been sent to (a) the letter from the Department of Health and Social Security of the Isle of Man Government of 7 September 2009 on the negotiation of separate bilateral health agreements between the Isle of Man and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and  (b) the requests for a response sent on 15 October and 4 November 2009 and subsequently; when he plans to make a substantive response to the letter; if he will place in the Library a copy of his eventual response; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The development of any agreement between the Isle of Man Government and the devolved government's would at this stage be a matter for their respective governments. The Department made the Isle of Man Government aware of that position on 9 March 2010.

Hearing Impaired: Health Services

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to maintain the present  (a) level of funding for audiology training courses and  (b) number of trained paediatric audiologists.

Ann Keen: The level of funding allocated for audiology training courses is a matter for individual strategic health authorities. Working with stakeholders, we are developing a range of education and training programmes which will have a focus on audiology as part of modernising scientific careers. These will encompass the needs of both adult and paediatric services.

Hepatitis: Prisoners

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the number of people in prison who have  (a) HIV,  (b) hepatitis B and  (c) hepatitis C.

Phil Hope: The Health Protection Agency is responsible for gathering information on the incidence and prevalence of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) in the population. Current surveillance systems cannot routinely differentiate infections detected among prisoners from those identified among people in the community.
	The Department estimates the burden of infection with BBVs among the adult prison population in England and Wales to be the following:
	
		
			   Number 
			 HIV 163 (146-179) 
			 Hepatitis B 1,327 (1,194-1,459) 
			 Hepatitis C 4,083 (3,674-4,491) 
			  Note: Calculated using adult sentenced prison population-21 and over of 59,350 on 30 June 2009, prevalence of heroin and cocaine use, the percentage of these who ever injected and estimate of prevalence from Unlinked Anonymous Prevalence Monitoring Programme's study of injecting drug users, and giving +/- 10 per cent. range.

Mental Health Services: Advocacy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what mechanisms his Department monitors compliance by primary care trusts with the duty to make available independent mental health advocate services for qualifying patient; and what recent discussions he has had with the Care Quality Commission on compliance with that duty.

Phil Hope: Strategic health authorities are responsible for the performance management of primary care trusts. We understand the Care Quality Commission is currently collecting information on the availability of independent mental health advocates when visiting hospitals which detain patients under the Mental Health Act.

Midwives: Training

Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the likely effects of plans for future numbers of university places on the numbers of midwives in training; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The Secretary of State for Health has not had a discussion with the Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills on this topic.
	Strategic health authorities (SHAs) are responsible as regional education commissioners for delivering the number of undergraduate nursing and midwifery places commissioned each year. The numbers are based on the long term workforce requirements of their service providers.
	More midwives are being trained than ever before and the latest figures show there has been a 38 per cent. increase in the number of students entering training to become a midwife since 1996-97.
	SHAs are on track to meet the Government's commitment to have in place 4,000 extra midwives by 2012 subject to the birth rate.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes since 1997.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many patients have been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes since 1997.
	The latest available figures for newly diagnosed cases of myelodysplastic syndromes (incidence) are for the year 2007. Please note that the number of cases may not be the same as the number of people diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes, because one person may be diagnosed with more than one incidence of myelodysplastic syndromes.
	Table 1 provides the numbers of newly diagnosed cases of myelodysplastic syndromes in England, for each year from 1997 to 2007.
	
		
			  Table 1. Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of myelodysplastic syndromes,( 1)  England, 1997 to 2007( 2) 
			   Persons 
			 1997 1,602 
			 1998 1,557 
			 1999 2,441 
			 2000 2,119 
			 2001 2,438 
			 2002 2,263 
			 2003 2,318 
			 2004 2,299 
			 2005 2,286 
			 2006 2,147 
			 2007 1,898 
			 (1 )Myelodysplastic syndromes is coded as D46 in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). (2) Newly diagnosed cases registered in each calendar year.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what treatments are available on the NHS for patients diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Ann Keen: The 2003 Improving Outcomes in Haematological Cancers guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence sets out recommendations about the care and treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, with the emphasis on symptom control and supportive treatment.
	It is for the national health service locally to implement this guidance. Good progress has been made and the National Cancer Action Team continue to work with the NHS at a local level to ensure full implementation.

National Treatment Agency: Public Relations

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the National Treatment Agency has spent on external public relations in each of the last three years; what payments have been made; and for what purposes.

Gillian Merron: The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse's spend on external public relation agencies in each of the last three years is given in the following table:
	
		
			   External public relations spend (£) 
			 2006-07 0 
			 2007-08 41,502 
			 2008-09 0 
		
	
	The payments and purposes of the 2007-08 external public relations spend are as follows:
	
		
			  Company  Purpose  Payment (£) 
			 SB Communications Communications support 17,500 
			 Chappie Ltd. Consultancy 3,290 
			 Fishburn Hedges Communications support 8,674 
			 DHA Communications Communications support 12,038

Northampton Hospital: Waiting Lists

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were on the waiting list for treatment at Northampton general hospital in  (a) 1997 and  (b) the latest year for which figures are available.

Phil Hope: In-patient waiting list figures for Northampton general hospital NHS trust are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Period  Total patients waiting for admission 
			 March 1997 5,796 
			 March 2009 3,516 
			 January 2010 3,779 
			  Source:  Department of Health KH07 and MMR returns from national health service trusts

Streptococcus: Babies

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps are being taken by his Department to increase levels of compliance with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' guidelines on preventing group B streptococcal infection in newborn babies;
	(2)  what guidelines his Department provides on preventing group B streptococcal infection in newborn babies.

Ann Keen: Current guidance for obstetricians, midwives and neonatologists is provided by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, (RCOG) which published its Green-top guideline No. 36 on the prevention of early-onset neonatal group B streptococcus disease in November 2003. In 2005, the RCOG, in collaboration with the National Screening Committee, established a national audit to evaluate practice in United Kingdom obstetric units against the recommendations of the guideline. The audit published in January 2007, reported that current practice followed the established patterns of care described in the RCOG guideline.
	The Department supports the Maternity Standards published by the RCOG in 2008, which state that maternity services should comply with evidence-based guidelines for the provision of high-quality clinical care.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines for routine antenatal care, published in 2008, recommends that pregnant women should not be offered routine antenatal screening for group B streptococcus because evidence of its clinical and cost effectiveness remains uncertain.
	Information for women on Group B streptococcus is contained in the Pregnancy book-a guide to health pregnancy, labour and giving birth, life with your new baby, which is given to all pregnant women during their antenatal care. A copy has already been placed in the Library. Information is also available on NHS Direct and NHS Choices website. Women who are concerned are advised to talk to their doctor or midwife.

HOME DEPARTMENT

British Nationality

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people of each nationality were granted UK citizenship  (a) between 1980 and 1987 and  (b) between 1988 and 1997; and how many have been granted UK citizenship since 1997.

Alan Johnson: The available data for 1977 to 2008 are given in the following table. Data for 2009 are scheduled for publication in May 2010.
	Statistics on persons granted British citizenship by previous nationality, type and category of grant are published in table 4 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin British Citizenship Statistics United Kingdom, 2008. This publication may be obtained from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	
		
			  Persons granted British citizenship, 1977 to 2008( 1, 2, 11) 
			  Number of persons 
			  Previous nationality  1977-87  1988-97  1998-2008 
			  Europe
			 Albania 5 20 4,710 
			 Andorra - * * 
			 Armenia - 25 705 
			 Austria 730 435 285 
			 Azerbaijan - * 815 
			 Belarus - 10 950 
			 Belgium 860 385 460 
			 Bosnia-Herzegovina - 45 5,820 
			 Bulgaria 100 365 4,880 
			 Croatia - 255 4,355 
			 Cyprus 10,785 5,605 4,395 
			 Czech Republic - 45 915 
			 Denmark 375 190 330 
			 Estonia 80 95 305 
			 Finland 305 170 215 
			 Former Czechoslovakia 875 295 20 
			 Former Yugoslavia 1,850 2,505 865 
			 France 6,110 2,615 3,485 
			 Georgia - 10 770 
			 Germany(3) 5,845 2,445 2,835 
			 Gibraltar (GBR) - - * 
			 Greece 2,565 1,365 2,290 
			 Hungary 1,515 920 1,465 
			 Iceland 50 55 50 
			 Ireland 4,155 15,130 1,310 
			 Italy 6,005 2,240 2,950 
			 Kazakhstan - 5 595 
			 Kyrgyzstan - 5 215 
			 Latvia 320 260 495 
			 Liechtenstein 10 * 5 
			 Lithuania 140 135 1,015 
			 Luxembourg 20 5 20 
			 Macedonia (former Yugoslav Republic of) - 60 1,005 
			 Malta 1,440 1,700 1,440 
			 Moldova - 25 615 
			 Monaco 10 5 5 
			 Netherlands 1,180 620 1,075 
			 Norway 535 595 270 
			 Poland 8,125 5,760 6,515 
			 Portugal 1,870 1,030 4,205 
			 Romania 240 400 4,070 
			 Russia - 750 13,225 
			 San Marino 10 - 5 
			 Serbia and Montenegro(4) - 295 37,130 
			 Slovakia - 10 1,385 
			 Slovenia - 40 125 
			 Soviet Union (USSR) 525 350 25 
			 Spain 3,930 1,215 1,260 
			 Sweden 590 470 615 
			 Switzerland 3,775 2,145 1,360 
			 Tajikistan - - 55 
			 Turkey 2,450 7,055 53,495 
			 Turkmenistan - - 75 
			 Ukraine * 1,065 5,480 
			 Uzbekistan - * 395 
			 Europe total 67,375 59,240 181,375 
			 
			  Americas
			 Antigua and Barbuda 70 115 180 
			 Argentina 775 580 1,035 
			 Aruba * - - 
			 Bahamas 180 210 230 
			 Barbados 9,255 7,595 1,570 
			 Belize 45 180 235 
			 Bolivia 185 160 465 
			 Brazil 700 1,010 4,610 
			 Canada 4,110 8,985 10,215 
			 Chile 545 750 1,125 
			 Colombia 780 1,695 10,585 
			 Costa Rica 55 40 115 
			 Cuba 65 45 655 
			 Dominica 5,380 2,585 605 
			 Dominican Republic 30 90 395 
			 Ecuador 95 110 3,710 
			 El Salvador 115 95 135 
			 French Guyana - - 5 
			 Grenada 7,740 3,475 980 
			 Guatemala 100 35 125 
			 Guyana 6,360 3,395 2,800 
			 Haiti 30 5 45 
			 Honduras 195 80 100 
			 Jamaica 77,635 52,670 26,665 
			 Martinique - - * 
			 Mexico 695 360 1,320 
			 Netherlands Antilles - * 5 
			 Nicaragua 85 35 70 
			 Panama 65 40 125 
			 Panama Canal Zone - - * 
			 Paraguay 55 25 45 
			 Peru 530 615 1,680 
			 Puerto Rico * * - 
			 St. Kitts and Nevis 20 75 90 
			 St. Lucia 6,155 2,905 1,190 
			 St. Pierre and Miquelon - - * 
			 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 5,090 2,415 925 
			 Surinam 5 10 45 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 2,925 5,730 5,450 
			 USA 5,460 8,670 24,990 
			 Uruguay 120 105 125 
			 Venezuela 320 305 935 
			 Americas total 135,970 105,190 103,600 
			 
			  Africa
			 Algeria 290 1,485 10,395 
			 Angola 5 30 6,005 
			 Benin 5 10 85 
			 Botswana 70 55 220 
			 Burkina Faso * 5 50 
			 Burundi - 5 2,385 
			 Cameroon 45 160 2,700 
			 Cape Verde 10 30 30 
			 Central African Republic - 5 20 
			 Chad * * 205 
			 Comoros - * 10 
			 Congo - 10 5,605 
			 Dem. Rep. of Congo(5) 20 130 10,590 
			 Djibouti 5 15 115 
			 Egypt 3,595 3,570 6,035 
			 Equatorial Guinea * * 25 
			 Eritrea - 405 7,780 
			 Ethiopia 225 1,400 6,340 
			 Gabon 5 10 60 
			 Gambia 200 275 2,565 
			 Ghana 5,750 11,160 32,580 
			 Guinea * 10 295 
			 Guinea-Bissau - * 60 
			 Ivory Coast (Cote D Ivoire) 5 60 2,760 
			 Kenya 10,245 5,295 15,670 
			 Lesotho 30 20 65 
			 Liberia 45 65 1,525 
			 Libya (Arab Republic) 240 1,170 4,000 
			 Madagascar (Malagasy Republic) 20 25 65 
			 Malawi 970 415 1,030 
			 Mali * 5 40 
			 Mauritania 5 20 100 
			 Mauritius 7,470 4,705 7,755 
			 Morocco 1,205 5,505 6,865 
			 Mozambique 35 75 205 
			 Namibia - 25 180 
			 Niger - 5 55 
			 Nigeria 2,405 14,170 60,990 
			 Peoples Democratic Republic of Burkino - - 5 
			 Rwanda 10 10 2,725 
			 Sao Tome Principe - - 5 
			 Senegal 5 25 270 
			 Seychelles 1,255 745 915 
			 Sierra Leone 940 1,740 12,605 
			 Somalia 470 2,660 70,175 
			 South Africa 21,320 14,880 48,180 
			 Sudan 365 930 10,755 
			 Swaziland 75 40 90 
			 Tanzania 4,835 2,715 4,750 
			 Togo 15 45 585 
			 Tunisia 240 615 1,630 
			 Uganda 3,005 1,270 12,465 
			 Upper Senegal and Niger - * * 
			 Western Sahara - - * 
			 Zambia 1,915 1,300 3,835 
			 Zimbabwe(6) 8,455 2,820 21,575 
			 Africa total 75,820 80,125 386,035 
			 
			  Indian sub-continent
			 Bangladesh 21,480 31,135 48,365 
			 India 65,330 69,395 117,060 
			 Pakistan 75,070 47,860 108,935 
			 Indian sub-continent total 161,880 148,390 274,360 
			 
			  Middle East
			 Bahrain 95 100 255 
			 Iran 7,055 14,700 27,115 
			 Iraq 3,155 6,690 36,755 
			 Israel 4,805 3,005 4,525 
			 Jordan 930 1,730 2,695 
			 Kuwait 75 125 985 
			 Lebanon 1,800 3,100 7,230 
			 Oman 20 15 70 
			 Palestine - 5 2,000 
			 Qatar 10 10 50 
			 Saudi Arabia 45 190 555 
			 Syria 770 1,140 2,690 
			 United Arab Emirates 55 40 185 
			 Yemen(7) 1,020 1,735 4,505 
			 Middle East Total 19,835 32,585 89,605 
			 
			  Other Asia
			 Afghanistan 105 470 31,920 
			 Bhutan 5 * 125 
			 Brunei 15 35 70 
			 Cambodia (Kampuchea) 80 285 245 
			 China(8) 12,930 7,245 25,070 
			 Hong Kong SAR of China (Holder of Certificate of Identity or Document of Identity) - - 90 
			 Hong Kong SAR of China (Holder of Special Administrative Region Passport) - 10 965 
			 Indonesia 355 285 1,340 
			 Japan 305 345 1,380 
			 Korea (North) - * 45 
			 Korea (South) 455 400 2,730 
			 Laos 40 175 90 
			 Malaysia 3,470 3,465 4,660 
			 Maldives 5 5 60 
			 Mongolia - 5 235 
			 Myanmar (Burma) 410 665 1,295 
			 Nepal 190 255 4,250 
			 Philippines 4,485 10,115 38,745 
			 Singapore 1,935 835 1,110 
			 Sri Lanka 6,545 12,260 49,295 
			 Thailand 1,060 1,860 9,370 
			 Tibet 10 * 10 
			 Vietnam 1,375 12,970 5,455 
			 Other Asia total 33,775 51,680 178,560 
			 
			  Oceania
			 American Samoa - - 20 
			 Australia 6,230 7,145 21,110 
			 Bouvet Island - - - 
			 Fiji 760 570 510 
			 Kiribati 15 * 15 
			 Marshall Islands - - * 
			 Nauru - - 10 
			 New Zealand 3,875 6,485 12,080 
			 Papua New Guinea 30 10 45 
			 Samoa 10 10 20 
			 Solomon Islands 130 10 20 
			 Tonga 25 20 60 
			 Tuvalu 5 5 * 
			 Vanuatu 5 10 10 
			 Oceania total 11,090 14,270 33,895 
			 
			  Others
			 British overseas territories citizen(9) 9,555 19,175 5,650 
			 British National (Overseas) - - 3,855 
			 British Overseas Citizen 5,115 15,600 22,945 
			 British Protected Persons 10,790 3,365 2,660 
			 British Subjects 710 3,650 2,990 
			 Nationality Unknown 14,420 10,915 610 
			 Nationality Unknown Officially Designated as Stateless - * 380 
			 Stateless(10) 6,205 160 610 
			 Stateless-Defined 1954 Convention - - 560 
			 Stateless Refugee-Defined 1951 Convention - - 55 
			 Stateless Refugee-Other - - 185 
			 Others total 46,785 52,865 40,500 
			 
			 Grand total 552,535 544,345 1,287,930 
			 (1) Figures for 1977 to 1983 include both grants made in and outside the United Kingdom. (2 )Figures for 1984 to 2008 exclude grants made outside the United Kingdom and Gibraltar BDTCs registered under section 5 of the British Nationality Act 1981. (3) Includes both the German Democratic Republic and German Federal Republic before 1991. (4) Includes Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo. (5) Formerly known as Zaire. (6 )Known as Southern Rhodesia prior to 1980. (7) Comprises Yemen Arab Republic and Yemen People's Democratic Republic prior to 1991. (8) Includes Macau and Taiwan. (9) Known as British dependant territories citizens prior to February 2002. (10) Includes 'British subjects without citizenship' and 'No Nationality' categories from previous publications. (11) Provisional figures.  Note: Figures rounded to nearest 5 with * = 1 or 2 and - = nil. Totals may not sum to component values.  Source: Home Office, Migration Statistics

Departmental Data Protection

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2010,  Official Report, column 29W, on departmental data protection, what activities constituted inappropriate use of information in each case of disciplinary action and dismissal.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 26 January 2010
	 Further to my answer of 18 January 2010,  Official Report, column 29W, that confirmed that UK Border Agency (UKBA) and Identity and Passport Service (IPS) staff had been subject to disciplinary action and dismissal for inappropriate use of information obtained from an immigration database and/or an identity card or passport database, I can confirm that in respect of UKBA the activities which constituted inappropriate use of information and the numbers subject to disciplinary action or dismissal are as follows:
	Falsified records and manipulated Home Office systems: 5
	Unauthorised access to a database or allowing another person to use their log in: 6
	It is UKBA policy not to disclose any personal information or to provide a further breakdown of the numbers of staff below five where this may potentially reveal to a third party the identity of the individuals involved.
	We have therefore provided a total of the staff disciplined for each activity recorded which constituted inappropriate use of information.
	IPS records do not specify the activities involved in each particular case.

Departmental Pay

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) average and  (b) highest non-consolidated performance-related payment was in cash terms for senior civil servants in his Department in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: The criterion for awarding senior civil servants (SCS) with performance related bonuses is set by the Prime Minister following independent advice from the senior salaries review body (SSRB). The level of payments takes into account a number of factors including individual performance against agreed priority business objectives and targets. Bonuses reward and provide incentives for in-year delivery of key results. Over the three years of SR 04 the Home Office met all its PSA objectives.
	The following table shows the average (mean) and highest non-consolidated end-of-year performance-related bonuses for the SCS in the Home Office for the performance years 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09. We are unable to give information from previous years as these records are not held centrally and it is not possible to provide the information required without incurring disproportionate costs.
	
		
			  Average (mean) and highest end-of-year performance-related, non-consolidated bonuses paid for the last four performance years 
			  Performance year  Average  (£)  Highest  (£) 
			 2008-09 9,225 15,000 
			 2007-08 9,952 22,000 
			 2006-07 9,577 20,000 
			 2005-06 6,868 15,000

Departmental Theft

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what items valued at above £100 were reported as stolen from his Department's buildings or premises in the last 12 months.

Alan Johnson: To gather the information required would incur disproportionate costs.

Emergency Calls: Hoaxes and False Alarms

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of 999 calls responded to by the police in England and Wales were found to be hoaxes in the last year for which figures are available.

Alan Johnson: A figure for the proportion of 999 calls responded to by police forces in England and Wales found to be hoaxes is not available. Data are available through the annual data return on the number of incidents recorded by police forces in the category 'hoax calls to emergency services' as defined within the national incident category list (NICL). However, not all calls in this category will have come through the 999 system.
	The number of incidents recorded by police forces in the category 'hoax calls to emergency services' as defined within the national incident category list (NICL) for 2008-09 was 135,491. The data are normally for management information only and are not subject to the detailed checks that apply for national statistics publications. They are provisional and may be subject to change. The data represent calls for service as recorded by police forces under the relevant categories and may be subject to local variation in reporting and classifying.

Entry Clearances: Fraud

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been issued with the maximum sentence of a 10-year travel ban to the UK for attempting to use false documents in order to obtain a visa in each of the last 10 years.

Alan Johnson: In 2008, the Immigration Rules were amended to allow applications for entry clearance, leave to enter or leave to remain to be refused on the grounds that the applicant had previously breached UK immigration law (paragraph 320(7B)). Among those affected are people who have used deception (e.g. false documents) when applying for entry clearance in the last 10 years.
	We are currently unable to identify from central records entry clearance applications that have been refused under a particular paragraph of the Rules. We therefore cannot say how many people have so far been refused entry clearance under paragraph 320(7B). However, all persons who have previously used deception in an application for entry clearance are effectively banned from the UK, unless the deception took place more than 10 years ago.

Identity Cards

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2010,  Official Report, column 819W, on passports, what proportion of the estimated 49 million products to be issued between April 2012 and March 2017 he estimates will be identity cards.

Alan Johnson: The current underpinning assumptions used for planning purposes in preparing the cost report indicate that approximately 49 million products will be issued over the period April 2012 to March 2017 of which we expect approximately 32 million passports and 17 million identity cards. These are total product volumes, including transactions associated with the replacement of lost or damaged items, but excluding transactions that do not require product issuance, such as changes of address.
	It is Government policy that the public will be able to purchase a passport or an identity card or both. As such, the product mix of identity cards and passports depends on a number of factors including: the economic environment; the relative cost of the products to the public; and travel patterns, all of which can vary over time. The IPS cost report provides total product volumes predictions that attempt to take account of these variables and the figures given above are exactly in line with the 10-year financial projections in the October 2009 cost report.

Illegal Immigrants

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people employed  (a) on his Department's premises and  (b) by an agency of his Department were found to have been working illegally in the UK in each year since 1997.

Alan Johnson: Table 1 sets out the number of people employed on the Department's premises or by an agency of the Department since 2002. Data from before 2002 is not held.
	
		
			   Incident 
			 2002 1 UKBA contractor 
			 2003 None 
			 2004 1 contractor and one member of staff both UKBA 
			 2005 2 UKBA contractors and one Prison Service employee 
			 2006 9 UKBA contractors and one Home Office contractor 
			 2007 1 Home Office contractor 
			 2008 1 UKBA contractor 
			 2009 1 Home Office contractor

Illegal Immigrants: Greater London

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in  (a) the London Borough of Bexley and  (b) Greater London have been prosecuted for offences related to the employment of people who did not have permission to work in the UK since 1997.

Claire Ward: I have been asked to reply.
	The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts in the Metropolitan police force area for offences of employing a person subject to immigration control without permission to work from 1997 to 2008 (latest available) are given in the table as follows. Court proceedings data are not available at local authority area level.
	Prosecution data for the criminal offence of employing a person without permission to work are not representative of the totality of UK Border Agency enforcement action against illegal migrant working. The criminal offence in the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 was replaced with a system of civil penalties in the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. So far, the UK Border Agency has issued over 3,800 financial penalties nationwide to employers found to have employed persons subject to immigration control without the right to work, having failed to comply with the requirement to perform specified document checks.
	Data for 2009 are planned for publication in the autumn, 2010.
	
		
			  Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts in the Metropolitan police force area for offences relating to employing a person knowing that they are subject to immigration control, 1997 to 2008( 1, 2, 3) 
			   Employing a person subject to immigration control who has attained the age of 16; Employing a person knowing that they are subject to immigration control who has not been granted leave to enter or remain, or whose leave to remain is invalid etc. 
			 1997 - 
			 1998 - 
			 1999 - 
			 2000 4 
			 2001 1 
			 2002 - 
			 2003 2 
			 2004 6 
			 2005 5 
			 2006 4 
			 2007 1 
			 2008 4 
			 (1 )Includes offences under: Asylum and Immigration Acts 1996 and 1999; Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. (2 )The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice.

Immigrants: Detainees

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) child asylum seekers and  (b) children of asylum seekers of each age group from each country have been held in immigration detention prior to deportation at each location in each year since 1997.

Alan Johnson: The information is not held centrally and could only be provided by checking individual records over the period requested at a disproportionate cost.

Police: Bureaucracy

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many forms were required to be completed by police officers and police staff, on average, to process an individual arrest in the most recent year for which figures are obtainable;
	(2)  if he will estimate the number of police officers and staff that were required to process the average arrest for the most recent year for which figures are obtainable;
	(3)  how long it took on average to process an individual arrest in the most recent year for which figures are obtainable.

Alan Johnson: Data on the time taken and number of staff required to process an arrest are not reported to the Home Office.
	A Custody Record is the only form which the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and the codes of practice require to be completed in all arrests at designated stations. Statutory responsibility for their accuracy and completion fall to the custody officer, not the arresting officer. Additional forms required depend upon the individual circumstances of particular cases and therefore it is not possible to accurately estimate the average number of forms involved in each arrest.

Terrorism: Stop and Search

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 11 January 2010,  Official Report, column 702W, on terrorism: stop and search, if he will place in the Library a copy of the  (a) National Policing Improvement Agency guidance on stop and search powers,  (b) letter to all chief constables whose forces had standing section 44 authorisations and  (c) guidance of 15 December 2009 on photography in public places.

David Hanson: The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) guidance on stop and search powers is available publicly on the NPIA website. The Metropolitan Police Service guidance is also available on the MPS website. My letter to all chief constables whose forces had section 44 authorisations was made public at the end of 2009. All three of these documents will be placed in the Library.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Children: Databases

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families for how long  (a) unique pupil numbers and  (b) unique learner numbers are held after a child leaves secondary education.

Vernon Coaker: Unique pupil numbers (UPN) are used to facilitate the tracking of pupils' movement and progress within the maintained school system in England. The number is allocated to each pupil according to a nationally specified formula on their first entry to school and is a unique identifier, which is intended to remain with them throughout their school career.
	The unique learner number (ULN) is a 10-digit identifier which is allocated by the Learning and Skills Council to pupils in schools in England in year 9 as they approach their 14th birthday. Pupils will retain the same ULN for accessing details of their education and skills participation and achievement through and beyond their post-14 school career.
	The Department currently holds all of the UPNs and ULNs it has collected via the School Census in the Department's national pupil database (NPD). The NPD is a longitudinal database, containing pupil and student characteristic information from the School Census, matched to attainment data at each key stage. The data held in the NPD is used to monitor achievement and participation in the education sector and also to inform, influence and improve education research and education policy. The information currently held in the NPD allows for the tracking of pupil attainment at key stage 5 with their achievement back to key stage 1.
	Our retention policy, including archiving data with the national archive, is currently being developed as part of gaining accreditation to ISO 27001.

Class Sizes: Greater London

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the ratio of pupils to teachers in  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in each London borough has been in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested for January 2009 is published in table 27 of the Statistical First Release (SFR) School Workforce In England (including local authority level figures) January 2009 (Revised) published on 29 September 2009. The SFR is available at the following web link:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000874/Tables19to27v2.xls
	The information requested for January 2008 is published in table 27 of Statistical First Release (SFR) School Workforce in England (including local authority level figures), January 2008 (Revised) published on 25 September 2008. The SFR is available at the following web link:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000813/SFR262008_Tables_LA20081021-2.xls
	The information requested for January 2007 is published in table 25 of Statistical First Release (SFR) School Workforce in England (including pupil: teacher ratios and pupil: adult ratios), January 2007 (Revised) published on 27 September 2007. The SFR is available at the following web link:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000743/SFR29_2007_FinalTables18-25.xls
	The information requested for January 2006 is published in table 25 of Statistical First Release (SFR) School Workforce in England (including pupil: teacher ratios and pupil: adult ratios), January 2006 (Revised) published on 28 September 2006. The SFR is available at the following web link:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000681/addition2v2.xls
	The information requested for January 2005 is published in table 21 of Statistical First Release (SFR) School Workforce in England (including pupil: teacher ratios and Pupil: adult ratios), January 2005 (Revised) published on 28 September 2005. The SFR is available at the following web link:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000603/WebTables15-21v2.xls

Classroom Assistants

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many teaching assistants have been employed in  (a) Jarrow constituency,  (b) South Tyneside,  (c) the North East and  (d) England in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: The following table provides the full-time equivalent number of teaching assistants in service in local authority maintained schools, city technology colleges and academies in Jarrow constituency, South Tyneside local authority, the North East government office region and England, January each year, 1997 to 2009.
	
		
			  Full-time equivalent teaching assistants in service in local authority maintained schools, city technology colleges and academies, January each year, 1997 to 2009- Jarrow constituency, South Tyneside l ocal authority, the North East G overnment  O ffice region and England 
			   Jarrow constituency  South Tyneside local authority  North East  G overnment  O ffice region  England 
			  January 
			 1997 90 160 2,870 60,600 
			 1998 90 160 2,990 65,560 
			 1999 100 160 3,150 69,700 
			 2000 100 180 3,450 79,050 
			 2001 140 250 4,280 95,020 
			 2002 200 350 4,010 105,440 
			 2003 150 280 5,070 121,270 
			 2004 230 420 5,660 132,240 
			 2005 240 440 6,470 147,250 
			 2006 260 470 6,980 153,510 
			 2007 260 440 7,490 163,800 
			 2008 280 460 8,100 176,990 
			 2009 290 500 8,520 183,700 
			  Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source:  School Census

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many  (a) disciplinary and  (b) capability procedures have been (i) initiated and (ii) completed in his Department in each of the last five years; how much time on average was taken to complete each type of procedure in each such year; how many and what proportion of his Department's staff were subject to each type of procedure in each such year; and how many and what proportion of each type of procedure resulted in the dismissal of the member of staff.

Diana Johnson: The Department was created in June 2007. Staff may be the subject of formal disciplinary and capability procedures which are resolved without the imposition of any penalty, the formal procedures may also lead to dismissal for poor performance, poor attendance or misconduct, and the contract of employment terminated. Information for the Department and its predecessors in relation to dismissals for performance, attendance or misconduct is set out as follows. Totals of less than five are suppressed on grounds of confidentiality.
	
		
			   Disciplinary procedures initiated  Number of staff dismissed: Disciplinary  Capability procedures initiated  Number of staff dismissed: Capability 
			 2007-08 July 9 Less than 5 13 Less than 5 
			 2006-07 7 Less than 5 12 Less than 5 
			 2005-06 9 Less than 5 6 Less than 5 
		
	
	The number of cases initiated under formal procedures for capability and discipline is given, outcomes and timescales for completion are not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Staff may also be dismissed in law when a fixed term contract terminates at the end of the contract period and is not renewed is not included above. That information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Paper

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what  (a) suppliers and  (b) brands of (i) paper and (ii) paper products his Department uses; and what his Department's policy is on the procurement of those materials.

Diana Johnson: The Department buys paper products in the following categories.
	Copier papers
	Printing papers
	Hygiene products (including toilet tissue, paper towels, kitchen towels)
	Packaging materials (including cardboard, tissue paper)
	Craft materials (including card, tissue)
	For each category, I have shown below, the suppliers, brands of paper and paper products the Department uses.
	 Desktop  s tationery-copier papers, printing papers, card
	The Department's desktop stationery contract is with Banner Business Services.
	 Brand: Banner
	A4 copier paper 100gsm white
	A4 copier paper 90gsm white
	A4 Office paper 4 hole 80gsm white
	A4 Office paper 2 hole 80gsm white
	High res inkjet paper 190gsm A4
	Duplicating paper A4 80gsm pink
	A4 Copier paper 80gsm white
	A3 Office copier 80gsm white
	A4 Office copier 80gsm white
	A3 Value copier 80gsm white
	A4 Value copier 80gsm white
	 Brand: EP4
	Copier paper A4 80gsm white
	Paper A4 4 hole 80gsm white
	 Brand: Xerox
	A4 Symphony tinted paper 80gsm Dk Yell
	A4 Symphony tinted paper 80gsm
	A4 Colotech copier 160gsm white
	A3 Premier copier 90gsm white
	A4 Business copier 80gsm white
	A4 Performer copier 80gsm white
	A4 Pastel multicolour paper 80gsm
	Exclusive A4 copier paper 80gsm white
	 Brand: Steinbeis
	Recycled A3 80gsm pure white
	Recycled A4 80gsm pure white
	 Brand: Evolve
	Office paper A3 80gsm white
	Business paper A4 80gsm white
	Office paper A4 80gsm white
	 Brand: Conqueror
	Correspondence CX22 paper A4 100gsm D/white
	Card
	 Brand: Xerox
	A4 Symp tinted card 160gsm
	 Brand: Banner
	Index card 230gsm white
	Index card A4 150gsm white
	 Brand: Vanguard
	A4 Card 200mu ivory
	The Department has a policy to buy 100 per cent. recycled paper to use in photocopiers and desktop printers.
	 Printed  p ublications:
	Supplier: The Department's Publishing Delivery Service is operated as a joint venture by Prolog and Communisis.
	No specific brand is used. This is determined by the item required and the availability in the paper market at that time.
	The Department has a policy of using 100 per cent. recycled paper for all printed publications packaging materials (including cardboard, tissue paper).
	The supplier, Prolog, source the packing materials for fulfilment purposes through their 2nd tier supplier Macfarlanes.
	 Brands used:
	Arofol bags-'Arofol'
	Mailtuff bags-'Sealed Air Mailtuff'
	Envelopes-'Blake'
	Cartons-Non-branded
	Postal tubes-Non-branded
	Bubble wrap-'Sealed Air'
	Shrink wrap-Non-branded
	Paper-'Xerox'
	The Department's policy for bags, wrap and envelopes is to keep waste to a minimum by using materials which are 100 per cent. recyclable.
	 Paper hygiene p roducts
	All paper hygiene products used in DCSF, including soft toilet tissue and paper hand towels, are produced entirely from 100 per cent. recycled materials as per the contract specification.
	Paper hygiene consumables are ordered by Mitie Cleaning and Environmental Services Ltd. and supplied by Bunzl. The brands used are Kimberley Clarke and Tork.

Departmental Pay

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department spent on wages for  (a) special advisers and  (b) communications or press officers in each year since 2003.

Diana Johnson: The Government publish, on an annual basis, information on the names, number and overall cost of special advisers. The last published list can be found at:
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090716/wmstext/90716m0008.htm#09071651000054
	For information on part  (b) of the question, this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Education: International Cooperation

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding has been allocated by  (a) his Department and  (b) other departments to the Teachers' International Professional Development Programme in each year since 2000.

Vernon Coaker: The Teachers International Professional Development (TIPD) programme is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for International Development. Information on the funding allocated by each Department for the period 2000-01 to 2010-11 is provided in the following tables:
	
		
			  £ 
			   2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 DCSF expenditure 2,696,606 2,898,652 2,444,455 2,686,780 3,070,956 3,149,642 
			 DFID expenditure 50,620 43,689 34,686 39,829 38,957 40,157 
			 Total expenditure 2,747,226 2,942,341 2,479,141 2,726,609 3,109,913 3,189,799 
		
	
	
		
			  £ 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11  Department  t otal 
			 DCSF expenditure 3,278,761 3,262,164 3,558,593 3,768,979 3,886,470 34,702,059 
			 DFID expenditure 41,781 44,628 68,287 70,336 72,446 545,414 
			 Total expenditure 3,320,541 3,306,792 3,626,880 3,839,315 3,958,916 35,247,473

Gifted Children: Poole

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils in the Poole unitary authority area were given places on the Young, Gifted and Talented Programme in the latest period for which figures are available.

Diana Johnson: Through the School Census schools are asked to confirm the number of gifted and talented pupils they have identified.
	The following table shows the number and percentage of children identified as gifted and talented in Poole unitary authority in the January 2009 census.
	Figures include primary(1) and secondary(1, 2) school data broken down by the number(3) and percentage of gifted and talented pupils.
	
		
			  Maintained primary( 1)  and state-funded secondary( 1,)( )( 2)  schools: number( 3)  and percentage of gifted and talented pupils. As at January 2009. In the unitary authority of Poole 
			   Maintained primary schools  State-funded secondary schools  Primary and secondary schools 
			   Number of gifted and talented pupils  Percentage of gifted and talented pupils  Number of gifted and talented pupils  Percentage of gifted and talented pupils  Number of gifted and talented pupils  Percentage of gifted and talented pupils 
			 2009 780 7.7 1,975 23.5 2,750 14.8 
			 (1) All data includes middle schools as deemed. (2) All data includes City Technology Colleges and Academies. (3) All data shows solely registered pupils only.  Note: Pupil numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: School Census 
		
	
	A data table showing information for all local authorities in England has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Grimsby

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Great Grimsby constituency, the effects of his Department's policies on that constituency since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: Since 1997 the Government have transformed education and child care with improved outcomes for children and young people. Figures showing the performance at key stage 2, and at GCSE and equivalents in Great Grimsby are given in the following tables:
	
		
			  Key stage 2 results of 11-year-old pupils attending schools in the Great Grimsby constituency 
			  Percentage of pupils gaining level 4 and above( 1)  1997  2009( 2)  Percentage point improvement 1997 to 2009 
			  Great Grimsby
			 English 50 73 23 
			 Maths 48 73 25 
			 Science 53 84 31 
			 
			  England
			 English 63 80 17 
			 Maths 62 79 17 
			 Science 68 88 20 
			 (1 )Includes pupils attending all maintained schools (including academies and city technology colleges). (2 )Revised data.  Source:  School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables. 
		
	
	
		
			  GCSE and equivalents( 1)  results for pupils( 2)  attending schools( 3)  in the Great Grimsby constituency 
			  Percentage of pupils gaining  1997  2009( 4)  Percentage point improvement 1997 to 2009 
			  Great Grimsby
			 5+ A*-C 18.2 62.1 43.9 
			 5+ A*-G 73.3 85.3 12.0 
			 
			  England
			 5+ A*-C(5) 45.1 70.0 24.9 
			 5+ A*-G(5) 86.4 92.3 5.9 
			 (1 )From 2004 results incorporate GCSEs, GNVQs and a range of other qualifications approved pre-16. Prior to 2004 results are based on GCSEs and GNVQs only. (2 )From 2006 figures are for pupils at the end of key stage 4. Prior to 2006 results are based on pupils aged 15. (3 )Includes pupils attending all maintained schools (including academies and city technology colleges) and from 2000 does not include pupils recently arrived from overseas. (4 )Revised data. (5 )England figures also include independent schools as well as hospital schools and PRUs.  Source:  School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables. 
		
	
	Further information by constituency is available on the Department's 'In Your Area' website:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/inyourarea
	The information available at constituency level includes the number of specialist schools, number of operational academies, number of teaching assistants and other support staff, number of teachers and pupil: teacher ratios. Where information is not available at constituency level it has been provided at local authority level including the number of free early education places taken up by three and four-year-olds, number of full-time and part-time entrants to higher education institutions aged 18 to 20, average A level point score per candidate and per entry together with percentage of people of working age qualified to at least level 2 and percentage of people of working age qualified to level 4 and above.
	Additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Illegal Immigrants

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many staff his Department, its predecessors and its agencies have appointed who were later discovered to be illegal immigrants since 2005.

Diana Johnson: The Department was created in June 2007 and no members of staff have been employed and later discovered to be illegal immigrants. The Department does not hold records for its predecessor Departments and has no agencies.

Languages: Secondary Education

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  whether he plans to take steps to encourage schools to continue to provide teaching in Mandarin for pupils in years 10 and 11;
	(2)  whether he plans to take steps to encourage students to take up opportunities to learn Mandarin in schools;
	(3)  what his policy is on the provision of teaching of Mandarin in schools in years 10 and 11.

Diana Johnson: Mandarin language skills are becoming increasingly important for the future of our economy and we wish to encourage schools to offer the language where possible. Languages will become compulsory for 7 to 11-year-olds from September 2011. The choice of which languages to teach is for schools to make. We are funding the development of the primary schools workforce to prepare for compulsory language learning, including beginning in 2010/11 a primary initial teacher training programme with a Mandarin specialism.
	Languages remain compulsory for 11 to 14-year-olds. Since 2008 we have widened the range of languages secondary schools can offer by lifting the requirement that schools must teach first a working language of the European Union. Research shows that 16 per cent. of secondary schools are now offering Mandarin Chinese either within or outside curriculum time, up from 9 per cent in 2007.
	Languages have not been compulsory for 14 to 16-year-olds since 2004. Since then, languages have been an entitlement subject and schools must offer the opportunity to learn a language to all pupils who wish to do so. While the overall numbers of entries by pupils for a GCSE in a language have declined, the number of pupils in England entered for a GCSE in Mandarin has increased by some 70 per cent. from 1,444 in 2002 to 2,448 in 2009.
	Finally, we will shortly be beginning a project to capture good practice in teaching Mandarin and about China, including bringing together in one place existing resources and considering what more might be done to promote further teaching of the language and culture of China.

Members: Correspondence

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he plans to reply to Question  (a) 312701,  (b) 312702 and  (c) 312703, on personal, social, health and economic education, tabled by the hon. Member for Salisbury on 19 January 2010.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 9 March 2010
	 Parliamentary questions 312702 and 312703 were answered on 8 March and parliamentary question 312701 was answered on 9 March.

National Science and Engineering Week

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans his Department has to mark National Science and Engineering Week.

Diana Johnson: The Department is supporting the 2010 Big Bang UK Young Scientists' and Engineers' Fair which initiates National Science and Engineering Week and will take place at the Manchester Central Convention Complex between 11 and 13 March 2010.
	This Big Bang Fair 2010 celebrates young people's achievement in science and engineering and will host more than 120 interactive activities, exhibitions and live shows as well as incorporating the final of the National Science and Engineering competition which is open to schools throughout the UK.

Pupils: Absenteeism

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether his Department provides guidance to magistrates on levels of fines for parents of children absent from school.

Vernon Coaker: The Department for Children, Schools and Families and its predecessors has not issued guidance to magistrates on levels of fines for parents who fail to secure their child's attendance at school.
	However, the Department has produced guidance for educational practitioners: 'Ensuring children's right to education: guidance on the legal measures available to secure regular school attendance' which is available on teachernet:
	http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/behaviour/pcspospns/prosecutions/

Pupils: Clothing

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance his Department provides to schools on dress codes.

Diana Johnson: The Department published guidance in October 2007 which provides advice to schools on how to formulate fair, reasonable, affordable and inclusive school uniform policies. The guidance can be viewed at:
	http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/atoz/u/uniform/

School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme: Northampton

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in Northampton were receiving free fruit in school in the latest period for which figures are available.

Diana Johnson: Schools are able to participate in the Department of Health's School Fruit and Vegetable scheme, which provides key stage 1 pupils in maintained primary schools in England with a free piece of fruit or vegetable every day.
	Figures from the NHS supply chain show that in February 2010, 27,205 pupils in Northampton were provided with free fruit in school.

Schools: Admissions

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many representations  (a) he and  (b) Ministers in his Department have received from (i) hon. Members and (ii) local authorities on the number of 
	(1)  primary school places in Hertfordshire in (A) 2008, (B) 2009 and (C) 2010; how many (1) requests for meetings each received from and (2) meetings each had with (x) hon. Members and (y) local authorities on the matter; and which local authorities were involved in each such case;
	(2)  secondary school places in Hertfordshire in (A) 2008, (B) 2009 and (C) 2010; how many (1) requests for meetings each received from and (2) meetings each had with (x) hon. Members and (y) local authorities on the matter; and which local authorities were involved in each such case.

Vernon Coaker: Our records show only one representation made to Ministers since 2008 on the number of primary school places in Hertfordshire. In June 2009, Diana Johnson met with the hon. Member and the right hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Mr. Lilley) to discuss the provision of places in line with parental preference. I understand there was discussion around the lack of primary places in St. Albans although this was not the main focus of the meeting. Representatives were present from the local authority.
	Our records show only one representation made to Ministers since 2008 on the number of secondary school places in Hertfordshire. In July 2009, Mr. Lilley wrote setting out his concerns about the lack of secondary school places in Hertfordshire.
	Our records do not show any representations from local authorities.

Schools: Admissions

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps he has taken to increase the number of school places in St. Albans.

Vernon Coaker: It is the responsibility of local authorities to secure a place for every child of statutory school age in their area who needs one. The Department provides capital to support this duty. From 2008-09 to 2010-11, over £1.2 billion of capital funding has been allocated nationally through the Basic Need programme to local authorities for providing additional places. Basic Need funding is partly allocated on forecasts of growth in pupil numbers provided by each authority. Where providing additional places is a local priority, authorities can also use funding from other sources, including receipts, planning gains and other major schools capital programmes. In total, from 2008-09 until 2010-11, Hertfordshire has been allocated over £90 million of schools capital which could be used to provide additional places where there is need.
	In 2009, as it became apparent that some areas were experiencing or expecting exceptionally high increase in demand for primary pupil places which had been difficult to forecast, the Department made additional funding available to support the immediate provision of additional primary places by 2011 in the areas of highest growth. We have allocated £274 million to 36 authorities. Hertfordshire did not apply for this funding.

Schools: Biometrics

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many complaints his Department has received on the use of biometric data in schools in the last three years.

Diana Johnson: holding answer 3 March 2010
	 The Department for Children, Schools and Families does not keep a specific record of complaints received on the use of biometric data. However, a search of correspondence has identified 34 instances of concerns or objections relating to the use of biometric technologies in schools in the three years from February 2007.

Schools: Transport

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families to which projects the funding formerly allocated to the School Transport Pathfinder pilots has been assigned.

Diana Johnson: The School Transport Pathfinder Pilots were not taken forward as the bids received from local authorities were neither comprehensive nor did they give the broad and diverse mix of rural and urban schemes we were looking for to run meaningful pilots.
	The funding allocated to the pilots has been redirected to the Voluntary Aided Private Finance Initiative, Partnership for Schools, the Office of the Schools Adjudicator, the Travel to School Initiative and School Formation and Investment Group funding pressures.

Schools: Visits

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance his Department has given to local education authorities on visits to schools by  (a) hon. Members,  (b) parliamentary candidates and  (c) Cabinet Ministers (i) within and (ii) outside election purdah periods.

Diana Johnson: The Secretary of State does not issue guidance to local authorities covering visits to schools.
	The Cabinet Office issues separate guidance to Departments on activities during General and local pre-election periods. The 2005 guidance can be found at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/propriety_and_ethics/assets/electguide.pdf

Talent Taskforce: Finance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department spent on the Talent Taskforce in the latest year for which figures are available.

Diana Johnson: The Talent and Enterprise Taskforce's programme spend was £3,303,706 for the period 2008-09. The Taskforce's running costs were £307,255, over the same period. This was used to fund programmes and activities to promote the talent agenda and engage influential networks and organisations across society to do the same.

Teachers: Pay

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average pay was of a teacher in  (a) Jarrow constituency,  (b) South Tyneside,  (c) the North East and  (d) England in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested is not available for Jarrow constituency.
	The following table provides the average salary of full-time regular qualified teachers in service in local authority maintained schools, March each year, 1997 to 2008, the latest information available.
	
		
			  Average salary of full-time regular qualified teachers in local authority maintained schools, March each year, 1997 to 2008- South Tynesi de local authority, North East G overnment  O ffice region and England 
			  £ 
			   South Tyneside local authority  North East Government office region  England 
			  January
			 1997 22,460 22,460 22,920 
			 1998 23,110 23,060 23,560 
			 1999 24,140 23,980 24,460 
			 2000 25,190 24,970 25,420 
			 2001 27,130 26,860 27,260 
			 2002 (1)- 28,210 28,730 
			 2003 30,340 29,810 30,500 
			 2004 31,540 31,170 31,750 
			 2005 33,020 32,420 32,890 
			 2006 34,450 33,470 33,940 
			 2007(2) 35,550 34,660 35,010 
			 2008(2) 36,270 35,560 35,940 
			 (1) Figures are not sufficiently reliable. (2) Provisional.  Notes: 1. Maintained sector only. Teachers in academies (including those that were previously maintained schools) are not included. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest £10.  Source:  Database of Teacher Records

Truancy

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many cases associated with parents not ensuring their child attended school were heard in court in  (a) 2000,  (b) 2004,  (c) 2006 and  (d) the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 24 February 2010
	Information from the Ministry of Justice court proceedings database on the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences relating to failing to attend school in England 2001 to 2008 can be viewed in the following table. Prior to 2001 these offences cannot be separately identified.
	
		
			  N umber of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences relating to 'failing to attend school'( 1, )( 2) 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Proceeded against 1,961 3,163 3,849 4,442 4,648 5,999 7,745 9,506 
			 (1) Includes the following: (i) Failure to secure regular attendance at school. (Education Act 1996 S.444 (1)(8)). (ii) Parent knows that their child is failing to attend school regularly and fails without reasonable justification to cause him or her to attend school. (Education Act 1996 S.444(8)(1a)(8a) added by Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 S.72). (2) Prior to 2001 these offences cannot be separately identified.  Notes: 1. The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice. 
		
	
	These data are a further breakdown of those published in the Criminal Statistics, Supplementary Volumes for England and Wales for the years 2001 to 2008.
	The increase in the number of cases over this period reflects a sustained drive, led by the Government, to improve levels of school attendance including by encouraging local authorities to make more use of their powers to proceed against parents who are failing in their legal responsibility to ensure their children receive a full time education. The outcome has been a significant improvement in school attendance, with on average 71,800 more children attending school each day in 2007/08 than in 2000/01.

CABINET OFFICE

Bogus Charity Collections

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on reducing the number of bogus charity collections.

Angela Smith: The Government believe that this is a serious issue because the public give to charities to support their work; not to help bogus collectors make money. On 12 February the 'Give with Care' campaign was re-launched to increase public awareness of bogus clothing collections, and explain how people can ensure that donations reach the charities that really need them.
	I have not had any discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department but a key partner in this campaign is the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Civil Service Compensation Scheme

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent representations she has received on changes to the civil service compensation scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Cardiff, North (Julie Morgan).

Census

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the timetable is for the completion of the Beyond 2011 review into the way the Census is conducted; and what  (a) research and  (b) representations will be considered as part of the review.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 8 March 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the timetable is for the completion of the Beyond 2011 review into the way the Census is conducted; and what (a) research and (b) representations will be considered as part of the review. (320731)
	The Beyond 2011 Project was established with the Registrars' General in Scotland and Northern Ireland to consider options to deliver population data for the UK of the required coverage and quality beyond the next Census. It is therefore not reviewing the way that the current 2011 Census exercise is conducted, rather it is looking at options and their feasibility beyond 2011.
	A detailed work programme is currently being developed to enable a decision on a way forward to be taken by 2014.
	Extensive technical and methodological research is planned. This is drawing on internal ONS expertise in population statistics, the use of administrative data, household survey and census taking, but also uses a number of external experts in the area of population statistics to help advise and peer review our work. We are also drawing on the expertise of other countries. The project outputs, including the research on the statistical feasibility and user requirements, will be made publicly available.
	Formal consultation on options will take place after the 2011 Census, but we have already begun to discuss the issues with stakeholders and have established a website at:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/about-statistics/methodology-and-quality/imps/beyond-2011/index.html

Census (England and Wales) Regulations 2010

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what her timetable is for the  (a) laying before Parliament and  (b) coming into effect of the Census Regulations.

Angela Smith: The Census (England) Regulations 2010 were laid before both Houses on 4 March and will come into force on 31 March.

Central Office of Information: Advertising

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will place in the Library a copy of the Central Office of Information's internal guidance on advertising during election periods.

Tessa Jowell: I have asked the chief executive of the Central Office of Information to write to the right hon. Member.
	 Letter from Mark Lund, dated 3 March 2010:
	asking whether COI can provide a copy of any internal guidance on advertising during the election period.
	The Central Office of Information will adhere to guidance issued by the Cabinet Office applicable to advertising during an election. This guidance will be issued once an election has been called.

Departmental Internet

Tom Brake: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much has been spent on employing design consultants for websites operated by her Department in each of the last three years.

Dawn Butler: It is not possible to separate out design costs as these are frequently costed as part of larger projects.
	All of the commissioned design work has been utilised and published.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many full-time equivalent staff of each grade are employed by her Department to assist special advisers.

Tessa Jowell: Two civil servants at B1 (EO) and C (AO) grade support my special advisers. The C (AO) grade is employed by DCMS.

Futurebuilders England: Consultants

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much Futurebuilders has spent on  (a) management consultants and  (b) management fees.

Angela Smith: The Cabinet Office pays a fixed service charge to Futurebuilders for its running costs. The service charge is not broken down into management fees and other costs.

Futurebuilders England: Grants

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much and what proportion of total funding provided to Futurebuilders has been given to charities in the form of grants since the programme began.

Angela Smith: The Futurebuilders Programme is delivered by Futurebuilders England Ltd, under contract to the Cabinet Office. Since the programme began, a total of £25.8 million has been given to third sector organisations in grants. This represents 16.7 per cent. of all investment offers. The vast majority of funding given to third sector organisations is in the form of loans.

Government Communications

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood of 5 February 2010,  Official Report, column 602W, on Government communications, what the title is of each best practice guidance note and entry published on the Government Communications Network intranet in the last 18 months.

Tessa Jowell: The GCN website makes extensive use of community tools (wiki and forums) to allow members to share best practice across all areas of Government communications. This detailed information could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Hotels

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood of 3 February 2010,  Official Report, column 410W, on hotels, what the total number of bookings made through the Expotel contract was by the  (a) Cabinet Office,  (b) Central Office of Information and  (c) Charity Commission in 2009; and what number and proportion of hotel bookings were not made through the Expotel facility in each such case.

Angela Smith: All hotel bookings made by Ministers are in accordance with the Ministerial Code. Similarly, all hotel bookings made by civil servants are in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code.
	 (a) In the period January 2009 to December 2009 (inclusive), 1,676 bookings were made through the Expotel contract by the Cabinet Office.
	Ascertaining the number of hotel bookings which were made outside the Expotel contract would require a full interrogation of Government Procurement Card (GPC) records and expenses claims for the specified period, and would therefore incur disproportionate costs.
	 (b) I will ask the chief executives of the Central Office of Information and the Charity Commission to write to the hon. Member.
	 Letter from Mark Lund, dated 3 March 2010:
	asking for the total number of bookings made through the Expotel contract in 2009.
	In the period January 2009 to December 2009 (inclusive), 733 bookings were made through the Expotel contract by the COI.
	The number of hotel bookings which were made outside the Expotel contract would require a full interrogation of Government Procurement Card (GPC) records and expenses claims for this period, and would therefore incur disproportionate costs.
	 Letter from Andrew Hind, dated 23 February 2010:
	As the Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, I have been asked to respond to your written Parliamentary Question on the total number of bookings made through the Expotel contract by the Charity Commission in 2009; and what number and proportion of hotel bookings were not made through the Expotel facility in each such case (318326).
	In the calendar year 2009, the Charity Commission made 962 bookings via Expotel.
	The Commission uses Expotel for the majority of hotel bookings but a few are made by alternative means, either using a Government Procurement Card or a personal credit card. Where Commission staff book their hotel directly, generally when a booking is required at short notice, the cost is subject to a limit of £110 in London and £85 elsewhere. To gather information on non-Expotel booked hotel stays would require a manual review of all personal travel and subsistence claims and Government Procurement Card statements for the last year. This could not be undertaken within the time available or without incurring a disproportionate cost.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Local Endowment Funds

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the Prime Minister's speech at Britain's Everyday Heroes Book Launch of 24 July 2007, how much funding the Government have provided to local foundations for endowment funds since July 2007.

Angela Smith: The endowment funding is paid out retrospectively to match-fund donations raised in the local community.
	At the end of September 2009, over £13 million had been received in donations from over 8500 businesses and individuals. This has been matched by an additional £11.3 million from Government match-funding, boosting the endowment to over £25 million. This £25 million will support important local community activity for many years to come.

Population: Greater London

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the  (a) margin and  (b) degree of error was in the population estimates in the 2001 Census for (A) Slough and (B) each inner London borough.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Social Enterprises

Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment she has made of the effects on social enterprises of the recent recession.

Tessa Jowell: Data from the sector shows that since the economic downturn began 56 per cent. of social enterprises saw their turnovers increase compared to just 28 per cent. of SMEs. However, the Government recognises that this is a difficult time for some social enterprises that have experienced an increase in demand for their services and face pressure as a result of the downturn.
	That is why the Government provided a comprehensive package of support to the third sector worth nearly £60 million:
	The £15 million Targeted Support Fund Grants element has provided additional support worth £1.55 million to 64 social enterprises.
	The £17.5 million Hardship Fund has provided grants to 195 organisations, including social enterprises, to help them deliver vital front line services.
	The £16.5 million Modernisation Fund is helping social enterprises become more resilient by facilitating merges, collaborative working and efficiencies. The Modernisation Fund has offered loans of £7.3 million to 40 organisations since April 2009.
	And an additional £20 million has been made available to social enterprise Community Development Finance Institutions through the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme.
	This is in addition to Government support for social enterprises-such as the first ever Social Enterprise Strategy ten years ago, to recent funds such as the Department for Health £100 million Social Enterprise Investment Fund and £1.3 million for Social Enterprise Action Research projects across government.

JUSTICE

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many full-time equivalent staff of each grade are employed by his Department to assist special advisers.

Jack Straw: There are currently two members of staff employed to assist my special advisers: one full-time executive officer at band D and one part-time administrative officer at equivalent band E.

Health Services: Isle of Man

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will examine the matters raised by the Minister for Health and Social Security of the Isle of Man Government in Tynwald Court on 15 December 2009 in respect of the response of the Department of Health to written requests for information made by the Isle of Man Government on 7 September 2009, repeated on 15 October and 4 November 2009; what his duties are in respect of mediation between the administrations of the Crown Dependencies and Government departments; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the relationship between the UK and the Crown Dependencies and provides the main channel of communication between the UK and the Crown Dependencies.
	The termination of the bilateral health agreement and the matters raised by the Isle of Man Minister for Health and Social Security about bilateral health agreements are a matter for the Department of Health. There has been close examination of the issues at ministerial and officer level in my department and in the Department of Health. The Isle of Man Chief Minister has discussed the issue with the Secretary of State for Health and with Lord Bach.
	The UK has committed to keep the situation under review with the Isle of Man Government in case of any unforeseen impacts after the end of the agreement.

Health Services: Isle of Man

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what reasons his Department has not replied to the letter from the Isle of Man Government sent in 2009 requesting advice on the Isle of Man's wish to negotiate a bilateral health agreement with the Scottish Executive; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: I am not aware of a letter from the Isle of Man Government requesting advice from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on the Isle of Man's wish to negotiate a bilateral health agreement with the Scottish Executive. I understand that the Isle of Man Department for Health and Social Security has been in contact with the Department of Health and with the Scottish Executive in connection with a new health agreement.
	The development of any agreement between the Isle of Man and Scotland would, at this stage, be a matter for their respective administrations.

Royal Household

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the Garter Banner uniforms, decorations and other related artefacts of Kaiser Wilhelm II which relate to his honorary rank as United Kingdom Field Marshal and Honorary Colonel-in-Chief of United Kingdom regiments prior to 1914 are in the custody of the Royal Household; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: The Garter Banner and other insignia of Kaiser Wilhelm II were removed from St. George's Chapel, Windsor during the first world war. We have been unable to ascertain their location. The stall plates of Kaiser Wilhelm II are still in place in St. George's Chapel. The Royal Collection has confirmed that it holds the Robe and Garter dress of Kaiser Wilhelm II as well as two diamond Garter Stars and Badge of Kaiser Wilhelm II. No other uniforms, decorations or related artefacts are held.

Royal Household

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the uniforms, decorations and other related artefacts of HM King George V which relate to his honorary rank as a German Field Marshall or as Honorary Colonel of German regiments prior to 1914 are still in the custody of the Royal Household; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: The Royal Collection holds a number of items relating to the honorary ranks held by HM King George V in the German armed forces. Records show that uniforms relating to the ranks of Admiral of the Imperial German Navy, Prussian Field Marshall, Colonel in Chief of the 1st Guard Dragoon Regiment and Colonel in Chief of the Kürassier Regiment Graf Getzler (Rhine) No. 8 are held. The Royal Collection also holds a number of decorations: Order of St. Hubert (Bavaria), Order of the Wendish Crown (Mecklenburg), Order of the Black Eagle (Prussia), Order of the Red Eagle (Prussia), Hohenzollern House Order (Prussia), Saxe Ernestine Order (Saxe Coburg), Order of the White Falcon (Saxe Weimar) and Order of the Rue Crown (Saxony).

Trade Unions

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff his Department and its agencies are seconded to trade unions; what facilities are made available to them; how many days other staff of his Department and its agencies spent on trade union activity in the latest year for which figures are available; and what recent estimate he has made of the annual cost to the public purse of such activity.

Michael Wills: Currently the Ministry has two employees on secondment to the PCS Trade Union and their salaries are reimbursed by the union. No other facilities are made available to them as they work at Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Headquarters.
	Facilities Agreements between the Ministry of Justice and the Trade Union Sides follow the provisions of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and the ACAS Code of Practice Time off for Trade Union Duties and Activities available at:
	http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2391
	The number of days that other staff spent on trade union activity within the last year, for which figures are available, is 43,208. The estimated annual total salary cost of such activity is £6.5 million.

Young Offenders: Rape

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many offenders of each age group were  (a) convicted and  (b) cautioned for (i) rape of a child under 13 and (ii) rape of a child under 16 in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many offenders aged  (a) 17 and under and  (b) 18 and over were given a caution for rape in each of the last five years.

Jack Straw: Information showing the number of offenders found guilty at all courts and cautioned for offences of rape of a child under 13 and under 16, by age group, England and Wales, from 2006 to 2008 (latest available) is shown in tables 1 and 2 as follows.
	The number of offenders cautioned for rape, by age group, England and Wales, 2004 to 2008 (latest available) is shown in table 3 as follows.
	Data for 2009 are planned for publication in the autumn, 2010.
	Guidance on the use of simple cautions is clear that they should not be used for serious offences. In the vast majority of serious sexual offences a caution would not be appropriate and a prosecution would be in the public interest. The decision to caution an offender for an indictable-only offence such as rape will always be taken by the Crown Prosecution Service.
	There will, however, always be exceptional cases in which it would not be in the interest of the victim or the public to prosecute, and in these circumstances administering a caution is considered to be preferable to taking no further action, and ensures that the offender is put on the sexual offenders' register and can be monitored. In some sexual offences cases, for example, it may be decided that the age, welfare or mental well-being of the victim or offender argues against putting them through a trial. In addition, children below the age of 13 cannot consent to sexual relations in law, and so such cases may be classified as rape even where the offence otherwise has the characteristics of a consenting sexual relationship.
	
		
			  Table 1: The number of defendants found guilty at all courts for rape( 1)  of a child under 13 and under 16, by age group, England and Wales, 2006 - 08( 2, 3) 
			  Offence description  2006  2007  2008( 4) 
			  Age 10-17
			 Rape of a child under 13 41 44 41 
			 Rape of a child under 16 14 13 21 
			 Sub-total 55 57 62 
			 
			  Age 18 and over
			 Rape of a child under 13 76 84 133 
			 Rape of a child under 16 220 246 234 
			 Sub-total 296 330 367 
			 
			  All ages
			 Rape of a child under 13 117 128 174 
			 Rape of a child under 16 234 259 255 
			 Total 351 387 429 
			 (1 )Excludes attempted rape. (2) The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces and the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (4 )Excludes convictions for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008.  Source:  Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: The number of offenders cautioned( 1, 2)  for rape( 3)  of a child under 13 and under 16, by age group, England and Wales, 200 6- 08( 4) 
			  Offence description  2006  2007  2008 
			  Age 10-17
			 Rape of a child under 13 12 23 22 
			 Rape of a child under 16 1 2 4 
			 Sub-total 13 25 26 
			 
			  Age 18 and over
			 Rape of a child under 13 - 2 1 
			 Rape of a child under 16 - 3 5 
			 Sub-total - 5 6 
			 
			  All ages
			 Rape of a child under 13 12 25 23 
			 Rape of a child under 16 1 5 9 
			 Total 13 30 32 
			 (1 )The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence. (2 )From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and warnings. These figures have been included in the totals. (3 )Excludes attempted rape. (4 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: The number of offenders cautioned( 1, 2)  for rape( 3) , England and Wales, 2004 - 08( 4) 
			  Age group  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Age 10 to 17 20 17 13 25 26 
			 Age 18 and over 16 3 6 7 9 
			 All ages 36 20 19 32 35 
			 (1 )The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence. (2 )From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and warnings. These figures have been included in the totals. (3 )Excludes attempted rape. (4 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Business

Tim Farron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what proportion of businesses have employed  (a) fewer than five people,  (b) between five and 10 people,  (c) between 10 and 20 people,  (d) between 20 and 40 people,  (e) between 40 and 70 people,  (f) 70 people or more in (i) rural areas, (ii) urban areas and (iii) nationally in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Estimates of the total number and percentage of businesses in the UK by employment band between 1997 and 2008 is shown in Table 1(1). Estimates broken down by rural and urban areas are not available for all UK businesses. However Table 2 shows estimates for businesses registered for either VAT and/or PAYE(2) between 2006 and 2008(3).
	(1) Based on the start of the year and sourced from the publication 'Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Statistics for the UK and Regions', produced by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. It is not possible to provide the information in the precise employee categories specified in the question.
	(2) Based on the start of the year and information taken from the Office for National Statistics 'Inter Departmental Business Register' (IDBR).
	(3) Data before 2006 is not available for businesses registered for either VAT and/or PAYE for urban and rural areas.
	The number of UK businesses overall in all employee categories has increased by 1,076,000 (29 per cent.) between 1997 and 2008.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number and percentage of businesses by employee band for the UK private sector (1997 to 2008) 
			   Number of employees  Less than 5  5 to 9  10 to 19  20 to 49  50 to 99  100 or more  Total in UK private sector 
			 1997 Number of businesses 3,326,810 191,755 107,395 49,980 15,415 16,340 3,707,695 
			  Percentage of businesses 89.7 5.2 2.9 1.3 0.4 0.4 100.0 
			  
			 1998 Number of businesses 3,262,230 204,290 111,800 48,300 14,945 16,325 3,657,885 
			  Percentage of businesses 89.2 5.6 3.1 1.3 0.4 0.4 100.0 
			  
			 1999 Number of businesses 3,287,955 201,835 109,280 46,955 14,450 16,470 3,676,940 
			  Percentage of businesses 89.4 5.5 3.0 1.3 0.4 0.4 100.0 
			  
			 2000 Number of businesses 3,330,460 206,090 108,075 46,155 15,700 16,130 3,722,610 
			  Percentage of businesses 89.5 5.5 2.9 1.2 0.4 0.4 100.0 
			  
			 2001 Number of businesses 3,344,050 200,320 112,695 54,845 18,130 16,300 3,746,340 
			  Percentage of businesses 89.3 5.3 3.0 1.5 0.5 0.4 100.0 
			  
			 2002 Number of businesses 3,390,720 206,135 113,580 53,440 18,020 15,830 3,797,725 
			  Percentage of businesses 89.3 5.4 3.0 1.4 0.5 0.4 100.0 
			  
			 2003 Number of businesses 3,625,825 202,965 105,845 54,800 16,230 15,720 4,021,390 
			  Percentage of businesses 90.2 5.0 2.6 1.4 0.4 0.4 100.0 
			  
			 2004 Number of businesses 3,885,620 205,855 104,190 55,390 16,500 15,290 4,282,845 
			  Percentage of businesses 90.7 4.8 2.4 1.3 0.4 0.4 100.0 
			  
			 2005 Number of businesses 3,941,300 207,225 106,020 54,955 17,160 15,380 4,342,045 
			  Percentage of businesses 90.8 4.8 2.4 1.3 0.4 0.4 100.0 
			  
			 2006 Number of businesses 4,062,990 205,260 110,050 55,930 17,090 15,380 4,466,700 
			  Percentage of businesses 91.0 4.6 2.5 1.3 0.4 0.3 100.0 
			  
			 2007 Number of businesses 4,272,060 207,595 111,165 55,655 17,145 15,465 4,679,080 
			  Percentage of businesses 91.3 4.4 2.4 1.2 0.4 0.3 100.0 
			  
			 2008 Number of businesses 4,354,905 223,585 116,645 55,415 17,105 15,630 4,783,285 
			  Percentage of businesses 91.0 4.7 2.4 1.2 0.4 0.3 100.0 
			  Source: 'Small and Medium Sized Enterprises for the UK and Regions'-Department for Business Innovation and Skills 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of businesses registered for either VAT and/or PAYE by employee size band and urban/rural area (2006 to 2008) 
			  Year (start of)  Number of employees  Less than 5  5 to 9  10 to 19  20 to 39  40 to 69  70 and over  Total in UK private sector 
			 2006 Urban 1,125,865 148,985 82,170 34,855 15,050 18,535 1,425,460 
			  Rural 584,500 56,275 27,880 11,185 4,475 4,295 688,610 
			  Total 1,710,365 205,260 110,050 46,040 19,525 22,830 2,114,070 
			  
			 2007 Urban 1,127,625 149,360 82,420 34,755 14,870 18,675 1,427,705 
			  Rural 581,560 58,235 28,745 11,115 4,495 4,350 688,500 
			  Total 1,709,185 207,595 111,165 45,870 19,365 23,025 2,116,205 
			  
			 2008 Urban 1,180,290 160,635 86,335 34,235 14,890 18,670 1,495,055 
			  Rural 591,240 62,950 30,310 11,360 4,525 4,465 704,850 
			  Total 1,771,530 223,585 116,645 45,595 19,415 23,135 2,199,905 
			  Source: Data extracted from the Inter Departmental Business Register (IDBR)-Office for National Statistics 
		
	
	This VAT/PAYE data under-estimates the number of businesses in the smaller employment size categories, since it excludes those businesses that are not employers or are too small to register for VAT.

Business

Tim Farron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what proportion of businesses were registered for VAT in  (a) rural areas,  (b) urban areas and  (c) nationally on each year since 1997; and how many businesses were de-registered for VAT in each case in each such year.

Rosie Winterton: Estimates of the number and proportions of annual VAT registrations, de-registrations and the total number of VAT registered(1) businesses (stock) at the start of each year (1997-2007) in the UK, is shown in Table 1.
	Additional information is also provided showing the number of annual registrations, de-registrations and the total number of VAT registered businesses by urban/rural area(2) at the start of each year (1997 to 2007) and shown in Table 2.
	The total stock of VAT registered businesses in the UK increased by 396,000 (24 per cent.) between 1997 and 2008.
	(1) Sourced from the BIS publications 'Business Start-ups and Closures: VAT Registrations and De-registrations' and 'Small and Medium Sized Enterprises for the UK and Regions'.
	(2) Figures were taken from the inter departmental business register (IDBR) produced by the Office for National Statistics. They are not directly comparable with those shown in Table 1.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of VAT registrations, de-registrations, total number of VAT registered businesses and percentage of Total UK private sector that are VAT Registered (1997-2008) 
			   Number of new VAT registrations  Number of new VAT de-registrations  Total number of VAT registered businesses (start of the year)  Total number of UK private sector businesses (start of the year)  VAT registered businesses as a percentage off UK total private sector (start of the year) 
			 1997 181,530 140,850 1,635,385 3,707,695 44.1 
			 1998 180,740 139,800 1,676,065 3,657,885 45.8 
			 1999 175,615 143,055 1,717,005 3,676,940 46.7 
			 2000 177,770 147,700 1,749,570 3,722,610 47.0 
			 2001 169,230 147,525 1,779,640 3,746,370 47.5 
			 2002 176,205 154,040 1,801,345 3,797,725 47.4 
			 2003 191,535 153,455 1,823,510 4,021,390 45.3 
			 2004 184,010 149,695 1,861,590 4,282,845 43.5 
			 2005 182,380 142,830 1,895,900 4,342,045 43.7 
			 2006 182,055 144,285 1,935,450 4,466,700 43.3 
			 2007 205,725 147,800 1,973,220 4,679,080 42.2 
			 2008 n/a n/a 2,031,145 4,783,285 42.5 
			  Source: 'Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations' and 'small and medium sized enterprise statistics for the UK and regions'-Department for Business Innovation and Skills. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of VAT registrations, de-registrations and total number of VAT registered businesses by urban/rural area (1997-2008) 
			  Year  Number of urban based new VAT registrations  Number of rural based new VAT registrations  Number of urban based new VAT de-registrations  Number of rural based new VAT de-registrations  Total number of urban based VAT registered businesses (start of the year)  Total number of rural based VAT registered businesses (start of the year) 
			 1997 135,990 46,730 107,610 36,950 1,082,730 556,170 
			 1998 136,980 45,300 109,025 35,760 1,111,110 565,950 
			 1999 132,895 44,430 112,235 37,185 1,139,070 575,490 
			 2000 134,315 45,450 117,135 38,480 1,159,725 582,735 
			 2001 127,395 43,630 118,160 38,650 1,176,905 589,705 
			 2002 130,310 46,645 127,005 43,285 1,186,140 594,685 
			 2003 141,045 50,395 126,190 44,150 1,189,445 598,045 
			 2004 134,865 47,550 123,330 42,260 1,204,300 604,290 
			 2005 131,740 46,740 120,125 42,515 1,215,835 609,575 
			 2006 128,850 45,485 126,425 45,720 1,227,450 613,805 
			 2007 136,760 46,175 130,690 48,855 1,229,870 613,570 
			 2008 n/a n/a n/a n/a 1,235,940 610,890 
			  Source: Data extracted from the inter departmental business register (IDBR)-Office for National Statistics.

Business: Government Assistance

Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many times the panel established to monitor lending to small businesses has met since 1 November 2008.

Rosie Winterton: Since the Monitoring Panel was established in November 2008, officials from BIS, HMT and the Bank of England have continued to meet on a monthly basis to monitor lending to small businesses. The key findings from these meetings are reported at the Small Business Finance Forum.

Business: Government Assistance

David Mundell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding has been disbursed to businesses from the Capital for Enterprise Fund to date; and how much such funding has been disbursed to companies registered in Scotland.

Rosie Winterton: To date there have been 23 investments from the Capital for Enterprise Fund (CfEF) with a value of £33.8. million. A further five businesses have accepted the terms offered by the CfEF with a value of £9.1 million and await final due diligence and completion.
	There have been five investments made in Scotland with a value of £6.8 million.

Business: Government Assistance

David Mundell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many applications for funding under the Capital for Enterprise Fund have been approved to date; and how many such applications have been made by companies registered in Scotland.

Rosie Winterton: Out of the applications received to date there have been 23 investments from the Capital for Enterprise fund with a value of £33.8 million.
	There have been five applications leading to investment made in Scotland with a value of £6.8 million.

Business: Government Assistance

David Mundell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many applications for funding from the Capital for Enterprise Fund have been received to date; and how many of such applications were from companies registered in Scotland.

Rosie Winterton: To date there have been 1,013 applications for funding under the Capital for Enterprise Fund with a value of £1,179.3 million.
	There have been 76 applications in Scotland with a value of £100.8 million.

Business: Salford

Hazel Blears: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what  (a) small business start-up schemes and  (b) other assistance schemes are available to assist businesses in Salford constituency.

Rosie Winterton: The Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) is a facility for additional lending to viable SMEs who sit on the margins of commercial lending decisions due to lack of security or track record. It enables loan facilities of between £1,000 and £1 million, to SMEs with a turnover of up to £25 million. EFG may be used to enable new terms loans, refinancing of existing term loans, overdraft conversion, guarantees on invoice facilities, and guarantees on new or increased overdraft borrowing. Businesses are advised to approach one or more of the 44 approved EFG lenders, which includes the main UK high street banks to discuss their lending needs. However, all decisions on individual lending are at the discretion of the lender. Further details on EFG are on the BIS website:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/enterprise/finance/efg/page37607.html
	As of 10 February 2010, 12 businesses in the Salford constituency have been offered EFG loans totalling £1.3 million.

Companies: Registration

Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills for what reason the filing times for accounts at Companies House for limited companies has been changed from 10 months after the accounting year end to nine months; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Lucas: The reduction of one month in filing times was effected for all companies as part of the modernisation of the accounting regulations to reflect the fact that companies could now report electronically and as a way of providing information to interested parties on a more timely basis but without imposing undue burdens. In the case of both large and small company accounting regulations, there was no opposition to this change.

Departmental Accountancy

Nick Hurd: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether any written instructions have been provided to the accounting officer for his Department and its predecessors in accordance with paragraph 5.5 of the ministerial code since May 1997.

Patrick McFadden: Written instructions to the BIS accounting officer and his predecessors under paragraph 5.5 of the ministerial code (called an accounting officer direction) have been issued on nine occasions since May 1997.

Departmental Consultants

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much consultants employed by his Department and its agencies have been paid  (a) in total and  (b) in reimbursable expenses since its inception.

Patrick McFadden: Central records indicate that the Department paid a total of £6,354,203 in consultancy fees since its inception (announced on 5 June 2009) to 31 December 2009.
	I have approached the Chief Executives of the Insolvency Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Office and the Intellectual Property Office and they will respond to hon. Member directly.
	Further details, regarding reimbursable expenses, are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	 Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 28 January 2010:
	I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 25 January 2010, UIN 314001, to the Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	Companies House has paid consultants a total £95,525 since the inception of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in June 2009 and £8,417 of that amount was in reimbursable expenses.
	 Letter from Sean Dennehey, dated 27 January 2010:
	I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 25 January 2010, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	The Intellectual Property Office became an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 5 June 2009. Since that time it has spent £48,000 on consultants; this figure includes £14,000 in reimbursable expenses.
	 Letter from Peter Mason, dated 23 February 2010:
	I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much consultants employed by his Department and its agencies have been paid (a) in total and (b) in reimbursable expenses since its inception.
	The National Measurement Office became an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when it was established on 5 June 2009. Our records indicate that since that date we have paid £159,361 to external consultants (using the OGC definition of those who supply advice related to the Agency's strategy, structure, management or operations). The reimbursable expenses of such consultants are not separately identified in our accounting system.
	 Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 10 March 2010:
	The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question how much consultants employed by his Department and its agencies have been paid (a) in total and (b) in reimbursable expenses since its inception.
	The Insolvency Service has employed consultants since the inception of The Department for Business Innovation and Skills in the period from June 2009 to 31 December 2009, at a cost of £29,546. There were no reimbursable expenses.

Departmental Internet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many designs for its website his Department and its predecessors have commissioned since 2005.

Patrick McFadden: The Department and its predecessors have commissioned five website designs since 2005.
	The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) website was redesigned in 2006 and again in 2008 to reflect the newly created Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). An interim website design was commissioned for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) in June 2007. This design was updated in March 2009. Designs were commissioned for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) website in July 2009. The current BIS website is an interim site, based on these designs and was developed in house. The revised BIS website will go live in March 2010.

Insolvency: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses employing fewer than 50 people were declared insolvent in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point constituency in (i) each of the last 12 months and (ii) each of the last five years.

Ian Lucas: Official Statistics covering corporate insolvencies are not currently available at a sub-national level within England and Wales.
	Additionally, the number of employees from which small businesses may be identified is not recorded on the source datasets.
	Self-employed traders may be declared bankrupt (or enter into an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA)), and the table shows the available information for each of the last five years.
	
		
			  Bankruptcies among sole traders 
			   Area( 1) 
			   Essex  Castle Point 
			 2004 316 14 
			 2005 233 11 
			 2006 306 13 
			 2007 308 16 
			 2008 303 14 
			 (1) Where bankrupt has provided a valid postcode (94.5 per cent. in 2004 to 96.9 per cent. in 2008). 
		
	
	Figures for 2009 are not currently available. Nor are equivalent figures for IVAs. Monthly statistics are not maintained.

Maternity Leave: Greater Manchester

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what percentage of women resident in the City of Manchester have taken one or more periods of 26 weeks maternity leave since 1997.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 8 March 2010
	 From April 2007 all employed mothers are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave, of which 39 may be paid. Employers are not required to record or report the uptake of maternity leave to the Government.
	The most recent estimates of take-up of maternity leave are based on the DWP Maternity Rights and Mothers' employment decisions in Britain: Survey of Mothers (2007). In 2006, when the mothers included in the study went on maternity leave, the statutory entitlement to ordinary maternity leave (OML) was 26 weeks, while mothers who had worked for their employer for a qualifying period of 26 weeks were also entitled to additional maternity leave (AML) of 26 weeks. The Office for National Statistics estimates that in 2006 there were 7,268 live births to women in the Manchester. The employment rate for women of working age (16 to 59) in Manchester in 2006 was 58.5 per cent.
	For mothers in Great Britain taking maternity leave in 2006:
	84 per cent. took 26 weeks or more maternity leave;
	35 per cent. took exactly 26 weeks maternity leave;
	46 per cent. of mothers took between 27 and 52 weeks and 3 per cent. were off for more than 52 weeks.
	16 per cent. of mothers took less than the statutory minimum entitlement (ie 26 weeks in 2006)
	The next Maternity Rights survey will be based on mothers who took maternity leave starting in summer 2008. It is due to report later in 2010. The Maternity Rights survey sample is not large enough to produce robust estimates at constituency or county levels.

Met Office

John Thurso: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on the future of the Met Office.

Patrick McFadden: My Noble Friend the Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on the future of the Met Office.

Mobile Phones: Health Hazards

Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what studies his Department has carried out on the specific absorption rate of mobile telephones;
	(2)  for what reasons the maximum specific absorption rate for mobile telephone radiation has been set at 2W/kg; and if he will consider the merits of reducing it to 1.6W/kg;
	(3)  if he will introduce regulations requiring mobile telephone manufacturers to display prominently and advertise the specific absorption rate of radiation energy for each model they manufacture.

Stephen Timms: The Government supported basic work to underpin the development of technical standards for assessing the specific absorption rate (SAR) from mobile phones, including several projects in the late 1990s. More recently, the Government have supported work through the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research programme, and information about this programme is available on its website:
	www.mthr.org.uk
	The Department looks to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to advise on appropriate standards for protection from exposure to the radio waves from mobile phones. HPA advice is that the guidelines of the International Commission on non-ionizing radiation protection (ICNIRP) should be adopted in the UK.
	Advice on the availability of SAR values from mobile phones was given in the May 2000 report from the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (Stewart Report) and an update was given in the Mobile Phones and Health 2004 Report from NRPB (now merged into the Health protection Agency).
	In addition, the UK's five mobile network operators, namely Orange, T-Mobile, 3 UK, 02 and Vodafone, have resources within their customer service departments to provide information and advice to users regarding specific absorption rate (SAR) values on handsets.
	Information about SAR values is available on manufacturers' websites and also on the mobile manufacturers forum (MMF) website:
	www.mmfai.org

National Investment Corporation

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department sought any external legal and financial advice in relation to negotiations with  (a) retail and  (b) investment banks on the proposed National Investment Corporation.

Rosie Winterton: The Department sought external advice on possible fund and investment structures before discussions with both retail and investment banks. The Department is continuing to seek advice as negotiations continue.

Public Sector: Billing

Brian Binley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many  (a) Government departments,  (b) local authorities,  (c) primary care trusts,  (d) educational institutions and  (e) Government agencies have signed up to his Department's Prompt Payment Code.

Rosie Winterton: The Institute of Credit Management developed and operates the Prompt Payment Code. As of 12 February 2010, 22 Government Departments, 145 local authorities, 249 NHS bodies and 36 other bodies (which include educational institutions and Government agencies) were signatories to the code.
	The latest list of signatories is provided on the ICM website and can be viewed via the following link:
	http://212.36.97.5/ppc/signatory.a4d?uid=634062674

Public Sector: Procurement

Brian Binley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of small businesses which have contracts with  (a) Government departments,  (b) local authorities,  (c) primary care trusts,  (d) education institutions and  (e) Government agencies.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not hold the information requested and an estimate could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Students: Newcastle upon Tyne

Jim Cousins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students received non-repayable maintenance grants from Newcastle City Council in each year since 2004-05; what the average grant received by such students was in each such year; how much was awarded in total in each such year; and how many and what proportion of those in receipt received a partial award as a result of means testing.

David Lammy: The information is shown in the tables.
	
		
			  Grants for maintenance - Newcastle-upon-Tyne Local Authority( 1) 
			  Academic Year  Grant   Total 
			 2004-05 HE Grant Applicants (number) 590 
			   Award Amount (£) 510,000 
			   Average (£) 860 
			 2005-06 HE Grant Applicants (number) 1,050 
			   Award Amount (£) 940,000 
			   Average (£) 900 
			 2006-07 HE Grant Applicants (number) 820 
			   Award Amount (£) 750,000 
			   Average (£) 910 
			  Maintenance Grant(2)   
			   Applicants (number) 940 
			   Award Amount (£) 2,000,000 
			   Average (£) 2,130 
			 2007-08 HE Grant Applicants (number) 490 
			   Award Amount (£) 440,000 
			   Average (£) 890 
			  Maintenance Grant(2)   
			   Applicants (number) 1,690 
			   Award Amount (£) 3,670,000 
			   Average (£) 2,170 
			 2008-09 HE Grant Applicants (number) 140 
			   Award Amount (£) 130,000 
			   Average (£) 890 
			  Maintenance Grant(2)   
			   Applicants (number) 2,520 
			   Award Amount (£) 5,620,000 
			   Average (£) 2,230 
			 (1) Table covers approved applicants awarded a grant, amounts show award entitlement amounts. Applicant figures rounded to nearest 10, award amounts to nearest £10,000, averages to nearest £10 (2) Maintenance Grant includes Special Support Grant  Source:  Student Loans Company 
		
	
	
		
			  Full and Partial grants for maintenance - Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Local Authority( 1) 
			  Academic Year  Grant  Applicants  Percentage of those awarded a grant 
			Full Grant  Partial grant  Total  Full Grant  Partial grant  Total 
			 2004-05 HE Grant 500 90 590 85 15 100 
			 2005-06 HE Grant 900 140 1,050 86 14 100 
			 2006-07 HE Grant 710 110 820 87 13 100 
			  Maintenance Grant(2) 600 340 940 64 36 100 
			 2007-08 HE Grant 420 70 490 86 14 100 
			  Maintenance Grant(2) 1,120 570 1,690 66 34 100 
			 2008-09 HE Grant 120 20 140 85 15 100 
			  Maintenance Grant(2) 1,660 860 2,520 66 34 100 
			 (1) Table covers approved applicants awarded a grant. Numbers are rounded to nearest 10 so components may not sum to totals (2) Maintenance Grant includes Special Support Grant  Source:  Student Loans Company